1-1                                     1                                  
 1-2                          SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 181
 1-3           WHEREAS, The Gulf of Mexico represents a vital natural
 1-4     resource to the people of Texas, the nation, and the international
 1-5     community; and
 1-6           WHEREAS, Dozens of nations have endorsed the implementation
 1-7     of the Global Ocean Observing System, which is being coordinated
 1-8     by the United Nations; and
 1-9           WHEREAS, The United States Navy and the National Oceanic
1-10     and Atmospheric Administration have encouraged institutions of
1-11     higher education to participate in a localized component of the
1-12     Global Ocean Observing System to be known as the Gulf of Mexico
1-13     Ocean Observing System, comprising a user-oriented, sustained
1-14     observing system, to include observations, analyses, and
1-15     distribution of data and products to institutions of higher
1-16     education and to the public at large; and
1-17           WHEREAS, The Gulf of Mexico Ocean Observing System
1-18     program is designed to provide long-term information leading to
1-19     improved forecasts of ocean currents for such important activities
1-20     as oil-spill tracking, search-and-recovery missions, hurricane path
1-21     predictions, and prediction or assessment of harmful algal blooms
1-22     and their effect on marine life in the Gulf of Mexico; and
 2-1           WHEREAS, Texans living along and near the Gulf Coast will
 2-2     benefit from this program through its contributions to public
 2-3     health, safety, efficiency, and agricultural improvements; and
 2-4           WHEREAS, Meteorological data produced by the
 2-5     Gulf of Mexico Ocean Observing System will enhance and
 2-6     complement similar data to be gathered by a proposed statewide
 2-7     observation system to be known as Mesonet; and
 2-8           WHEREAS, By participating in the Gulf of Mexico Ocean
 2-9     Observing System, Texas and its institutions will be positioned
2-10     at the forefront of a developing global system that will play a
2-11     key role in international affairs; and
2-12           WHEREAS, Having a component of the Global Ocean Observing
2-13     System in the Gulf of Mexico is expected to produce results that
2-14     will be of socioeconomic value to state and local government, the
2-15     private sector, and individual Texans, as well as aid in meeting
2-16     mandatory requirements of various federal regulatory agencies; and
2-17           WHEREAS, Texas A&M University is recognized worldwide for
2-18     its programs in coastal studies, meteorology, agriculture, and
2-19     other scientific fields which will be crucial to the Global Ocean
2-20     Observing System and the Gulf of Mexico Ocean Observing System
2-21     programs; now, therefore, be it
2-22           RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas,
2-23     77th Legislature, hereby express its support for the Global Ocean
 3-1     Observing System and the Gulf of Mexico Ocean Observing System;
 3-2     and, be it further
 3-3           RESOLVED, That the Senate further express its support for
 3-4     participation in the Gulf of Mexico Ocean Observing System by
 3-5     Texas A&M University and other institutions of higher education
 3-6     in Texas.
 3-7                                                                   Ogden
 3-8                                  ______________________________________
 3-9                                          President of the Senate
3-10                                       I hereby certify that the above
3-11                                  Resolution was adopted by the Senate
3-12                                  on February 5, 2001.
3-13                                  ______________________________________
3-14                                          Secretary of the Senate
3-15                                  ______________________________________
3-16                                           Member, Texas Senate