R E S O L U T I O N
1-1 WHEREAS, The Texas House of Representatives is proud to honor
1-2 Martha Clifton McNeel for her outstanding commitment to the
1-3 residents of Central Texas; and
1-4 WHEREAS, Ms. McNeel has worked diligently to preserve,
1-5 protect, and enhance the San Antonio River throughout the
1-6 four-county basin, encompassing Bexar, Wilson, Karnes, and Goliad
1-7 counties; her passion for the river's well-being came from her
1-8 grandfather, whose efforts as a contractor in the 1950s resulted in
1-9 considerable improvements to the waterway; and
1-10 WHEREAS, A member of the board of directors of the San
1-11 Antonio River Authority (SARA) since 1983, she demonstrated
1-12 judicious leadership as chair of the panel since 1997 and in the
1-13 office of vice chair from 1993 to 1997; in addition, Ms. McNeel has
1-14 served on various board committees and represented SARA on the
1-15 River Corridor Committee, the Executive Committee of the Alamo Area
1-16 Council of Governments, and the Bexar County, City of San Antonio,
1-17 and San Antonio River Authority Committee of Six for River
1-18 Planning; and
1-19 WHEREAS, Ms. McNeel helped secure cleaner river water by
1-20 participating in a litigation effort that also resulted in the
1-21 creation of the Dos Rios Wastewater Treatment Plant and
1-22 enhancements to the Salado and Leon plants; a proponent of
1-23 developing new water resources, she supported a regional study that
1-24 was called for in the 75th Legislature's Senate Bill 1, and she
2-1 facilitated an agreement for 70,000 acre feet of new water from the
2-2 Guadalupe Blanco River Authority, as well as the SARA
2-3 administration of the Trans-Texas Water Planning Project for the
2-4 West Central Study Area; and
2-5 WHEREAS, Her water-related civic involvement also includes
2-6 serving as president of the Paseo del Rio Association and vice
2-7 president of Missions, Parks-Plazas, River-Waterways and all
2-8 Natural Beauty for the San Antonio Conservation Society; and with
2-9 her solid support, flood control projects along the river are now
2-10 designed to be aesthetically pleasing as well as effective, and
2-11 they have earned praise from the American Society of Civil
2-12 Engineers and the National Endowment for the Arts Federal Design
2-13 Achievement Program; and
2-14 WHEREAS, Ms. McNeel's legacy to Central Texans includes the
2-15 San Antonio River Tunnel Inlet Park, and river improvements in the
2-16 King William neighborhood and along the downtown River Walk; her
2-17 lasting influence will ensure desirable water conditions for
2-18 countless Texans and will continue to be felt for years to come as
2-19 well, as plans for the environmental restoration of the southern
2-20 reach of the San Antonio River in Bexar County and upgrading the
2-21 river north of downtown are completed; and
2-22 WHEREAS, In addition to her commitment to protecting water
2-23 quality, she has been especially vigilant in her concern for the
2-24 river's impact on the ecology of bays and estuaries, and she has
2-25 emphasized strongly that, "If you remember the bays and estuaries,
2-26 you will protect the river"; and
2-27 WHEREAS, Ms. McNeel aspires to the highest level of
3-1 professionalism and achievement in all her endeavors, and her
3-2 significant efforts in behalf of her fellow citizens are truly
3-3 exemplary; now, therefore, be it
3-4 RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 77th Texas
3-5 Legislature hereby commend Martha Clifton McNeel for her
3-6 distinguished service on the San Antonio River Authority Board of
3-7 Directors and extend to her sincere best wishes for the future;
3-8 and, be it further
3-9 RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
3-10 prepared for Ms. McNeel as an expression of high regard by the
3-11 Texas House of Representatives.
Puente
_______________________________
Speaker of the House
I certify that H.R. No. 408 was adopted by the House on
February 28, 2001, by a non-record vote.
_______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House