1-1 1 1-2 SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 287 1-3 WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas takes pride in 1-4 joining the 280,260 citizens of Corpus Christi in proclaiming 1-5 Wednesday, February 24, 1999, as Corpus Christi Day at the Capitol; 1-6 and 1-7 WHEREAS, In 1519 the Spanish Government commissioned 1-8 Alonzo Alvarez de Pineda (1494-1519) for exploration; he was the 1-9 first European to map and sail the northern coast of the Gulf of 1-10 Mexico from Western Florida to present-day Vera Cruz, Mexico; his 1-11 expedition encouraged further exploration along the Gulf Coast that 1-12 led to colonization by Spaniards and other Europeans; and 1-13 WHEREAS, Nestled in the heart of the Texas coastal bend arc, 1-14 Corpus Christi was first established as a trading post in 1839 1-15 and began to grow into a recognized settlement about 1845; in the 1-16 late 1930s, the seawall was built as part of a major landfill that 1-17 created Shoreline Boulevard and the "T" head docks for pleasure 1-18 boats; and 1-19 WHEREAS, A city of charm in which a touch of the past is 1-20 nicely blended with modern amenities and opportunities, and which 1-21 exemplifies that special allure of the Texas Coast, Corpus Christi 1-22 is a source of much pride to Texans across the state; and 1-23 WHEREAS, The Padre Island National Seashore, with 68 miles 1-24 of white-sand shoreline, is the longest stretch of primitive, 2-1 undeveloped ocean beach in the country; hiking, camping, bird 2-2 watching, boating, water-skiing, and sail surfing are among the 2-3 activities enjoyed here; and 2-4 WHEREAS, Mustang Island State Park is located just north of 2-5 Padre Island, and this 3,700-acre park is one of Texas' most 2-6 popular recreational sites; and 2-7 WHEREAS, The USS Lexington, a World War II aircraft 2-8 carrier, that haunted the waters of the South Pacific and became 2-9 known as the "Blue Ghost," is now at home in the Corpus Christi 2-10 Bay, where tourists year-round can visit live re-enactments of 2-11 the past; and 2-12 WHEREAS, The life-size replica ships of Christopher Columbus, 2-13 the Nina, Pinta, and Santa Maria, permit you to discover what it 2-14 was like to be a 15th century sailor and are adjacent to the 2-15 Corpus Christi Museum of Science and History; and 2-16 WHEREAS, The Corpus Christi Museum of Science and History 2-17 allows visitors to experience science and natural history through 2-18 hands-on exhibits and dramatic re-creations; features include a 1554 2-19 Spanish shipwreck, native Indian exhibits, and the Smithsonian's 2-20 Seeds of Change; and 2-21 WHEREAS, Corpus Christi is the home to the Texas State 2-22 Aquarium with over 3,000 animals representing 250 different species 2-23 and plays an important role in a better future through education 2-24 and conservation programs; and 2-25 WHEREAS, Corpus Christi supports both its veterans and active 2-26 duty military personnel and is proud of its affiliations with the 3-1 Ingleside Naval Base to its north and the Kingsville Naval Air 3-2 Station to the south as well as the Corpus Christi United States 3-3 Naval Air Training Command and the Corpus Christi Army Depot and 3-4 recognizes the economic impact of these facilities to the region; 3-5 and 3-6 WHEREAS, Corpus Christi supports its institutions of 3-7 higher education, including Del Mar Community College and 3-8 Texas A&M University--Corpus Christi, who are preparing future 3-9 leaders of the community and the state; and 3-10 WHEREAS, The Corpus Christi State School--Mental Health and 3-11 Mental Retardation continues to support the community with adult 3-12 life skill training and enriching volunteer initiatives; and 3-13 WHEREAS, The Port of Corpus Christi is the deepest on the 3-14 Gulf of Mexico and the fourth busiest in the nation, with ships 3-15 from throughout the world carrying cargoes of oil and refined 3-16 products; the harbor entrance is spanned by an impressive bridge 3-17 that has a pedestrian walkway with spectacular views of the harbor 3-18 and the city; now, therefore, be it 3-19 RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared for the 3-20 citizens of the City of Corpus Christi as an expression of regard 3-21 from the Texas Senate; and, be it further 3-22 RESOLVED, That the following individuals receive a copy 3-23 of the Resolution: The Honorable Loyd Neal, Mayor of the 3-24 City of Corpus Christi; Laurie Cook, Chairwoman of the Greater 3-25 Corpus Christi Business Alliance; Lamont Taylor, President of 3-26 the Black Chamber of Commerce; and Robert Riviera, Chairman of 4-1 the Corpus Christi Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. 4-2 Truan 4-3 Armbrister Gallegos Nixon 4-4 Barrientos Harris Ogden 4-5 Bernsen Haywood Ratliff 4-6 Bivins Jackson Shapiro 4-7 Brown Lindsay Shapleigh 4-8 Cain Lucio Sibley 4-9 Carona Luna Wentworth 4-10 Duncan Madla West 4-11 Ellis Moncrief Whitmire 4-12 Fraser Nelson Zaffirini 4-13 Perry, President of the Senate 4-14 ______________________________________ 4-15 President of the Senate 4-16 I hereby certify that the above 4-17 Resolution was adopted by the Senate 4-18 on February 24, 1999. 4-19 ______________________________________ 4-20 Secretary of the Senate 4-21 ______________________________________ 4-22 Dean of the Senate