By Brown of Brazos                                     H.R. No. 254
         77R6425 CCK-D                           
                                 R E S O L U T I O N
 1-1           WHEREAS, Dozens of nations have endorsed implementation of
 1-2     the Global Ocean Observing System, a promising and challenging
 1-3     scientific enterprise that is being coordinated by the United
 1-4     Nations; and
 1-5           WHEREAS, The United States Navy and the National
 1-6     Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration have encouraged
 1-7     appropriate institutions of higher education to participate in a
 1-8     localized component of that system to be known as  the Gulf of
 1-9     Mexico Ocean Observing System; and
1-10           WHEREAS, The Gulf of Mexico project comprises a
1-11     user-oriented, sustained observing system that will include
1-12     observations, analyses, and distribution of data and products for
1-13     varied uses to colleges and universities, governmental entities,
1-14     and the public at large; and
1-15           WHEREAS, Resultant long-term information will contribute to
1-16     improved forecasts of ocean currents that will, in turn, assist in
1-17     important activities such as oil spill tracking,
1-18     search-and-recovery missions, hurricane path predictions, and the
1-19     assessment of harmful algal blooms and their effects on Gulf marine
1-20     life; and
1-21           WHEREAS, Meteorological data produced by the Gulf of Mexico
1-22     Ocean Observing System will enhance and complement similar data to
1-23     be gathered by a proposed statewide observation system to be known
1-24     as Mesonet; and
 2-1           WHEREAS, The Gulf of Mexico represents a vital natural
 2-2     resource to Texas, the nation, and the international community, and
 2-3     having a Gulf component of the global system should yield knowledge
 2-4     that will be of socioeconomic value to both the public and private
 2-5     sectors and to individual Texans, as well as assist in meeting
 2-6     mandatory requirements of federal regulatory agencies; and
 2-7           WHEREAS, Texans living along and near the Gulf Coast will
 2-8     benefit from the program through its contributions to public
 2-9     health, safety, efficiency, and agricultural stimulus, and through
2-10     their active participation, Texas and its educational institutions
2-11     will be positioned at the forefront of a developing global effort
2-12     that can play a key role in international affairs; and
2-13           WHEREAS, Texas A&M University, which is recognized worldwide
2-14     for its programs of excellence in coastal studies, meteorology,
2-15     agriculture, and other scientific fields, will prove crucial to the
2-16     success of both the Gulf of Mexico Ocean Observing System and the
2-17     larger Global Ocean Observing System; now, therefore, be it
2-18           RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 77th Texas
2-19     Legislature hereby express its support for the Global Ocean
2-20     Observing System and the Gulf of Mexico Ocean Observing System;
2-21     and, be it further
2-22           RESOLVED, That the Texas House of Representatives further
2-23     express its support for participation in the Gulf of Mexico Ocean
2-24     Observing System by Texas A&M University and other Texas
2-25     institutions of higher education.