1-1 1 1-2 SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 131 1-3 WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas is pleased to 1-4 recognize the citizens of Port Arthur and surrounding communities 1-5 on the joyous occasion of Port Arthur Day in Austin, which takes 1-6 place February 4 through 6, 2001; and 1-7 WHEREAS, This event provides the citizens of Southeast Texas 1-8 with an opportunity to rejoice in the amenities of their outstanding 1-9 community and to take pride in their unique contributions to the 1-10 State of Texas; and 1-11 WHEREAS, Founded in 1895 by Arthur E. Stilwell, a railroad 1-12 promoter, Port Arthur was destined to become the second largest 1-13 oil-refining site in the nation; and 1-14 WHEREAS, The Spindletop gusher ushered in the great 1-15 Southeast Texas oilfield boom, and a crowd of nearly 20,000 gathered 1-16 in Beaumont on January 10, 2001, to celebrate the 100th anniversary 1-17 of the Spindletop gusher; and 1-18 WHEREAS, Though situated in a famous oil refinery area, 1-19 Port Arthur is also well known for its surrounding beauty, 1-20 including the McFaddin and Texas Point national wildlife 1-21 refuges, birding trails, and other forms of nature; and 2-1 WHEREAS, Snow geese, many species of ducks, and other 2-2 waterfowl populate the enchanting marshes, providing excellent 2-3 hunting; Sabine Lake and the nearby Gulf of Mexico provide for 2-4 excellent freshwater and saltwater fishing, shrimping, and other 2-5 industrial opportunities; and 2-6 WHEREAS, Local citizens and tourists enjoy Sea Rim State Park 2-7 and the Sabine Pass Battleground State Historical Park, which 2-8 marks the site of a Civil War battle in which a small number of 2-9 Confederates forced a large Union fleet to retreat; and 2-10 WHEREAS, Known for its commitment to building a stronger 2-11 economy, Port Arthur is home to Lamar State College-Port Arthur 2-12 and was the first city in Texas to adopt the 12-grade public 2-13 school system; and 2-14 WHEREAS, Southeast Texas residents are hardworking, 2-15 generous, and hospitable, and they have successfully preserved 2-16 the beauty and charm of their area; and 2-17 WHEREAS, The Chambers of Commerce in Southeast Texas have 2-18 formed a coalition to include Jefferson County, along with the 2-19 chambers within Port Arthur, Beaumont, Groves, Nederland, and 2-20 Port Neches; and 2-21 WHEREAS, This coalition known as Jefferson County Chambers 2-22 of Commerce Legislative Response Team is hosting the first 2-23 Jefferson County Breakfast on February 6, 2001, at the Driskill 3-1 Hotel; now, therefore, be it 3-2 RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 3-3 77th Legislature, hereby commend the citizens of Port Arthur 3-4 and those from throughout Southeast Texas and extend best wishes 3-5 to them for successful and rewarding Port Arthur Day events; and, 3-6 be it further 3-7 RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared for 3-8 them as an expression of high regard from the Texas Senate. 3-9 Bernsen 3-10 ______________________________________ 3-11 President of the Senate 3-12 I hereby certify that the above 3-13 Resolution was adopted by the Senate 3-14 on January 30, 2001. 3-15 ______________________________________ 3-16 Secretary of the Senate 3-17 ______________________________________ 3-18 Member, Texas Senate