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HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
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WHEREAS, The Texas Maritime Museum is celebrating a proud |
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milestone in 2007 when it marks the 20th anniversary of its |
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designation as the official State Maritime Museum of Texas; and |
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WHEREAS, Situated next to the harbor in Rockport, the museum |
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was created to foster public interest in and understanding of the |
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rich maritime history of this state; that epic begins with the |
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Native Americans who made their home on the Texas coast and includes |
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the story of the French explorer La Salle, who established Fort St. |
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Louis near Lavaca Bay after missing his planned destination, the |
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Mississippi River; roughly a century and a half later, during the |
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Mexican War, Zachary Taylor launched several campaigns from the |
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Texas coast, and Palmito Creek, near Brownsville, witnessed the |
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last battle of the Civil War; during the 19th century, thousands of |
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settlers entered Texas by way of the coast, and today the Gulf |
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Intracoastal Waterway, whose Texas section stretches for 426 miles, |
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plays a major role in the economy of both Texas and the nation; and |
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WHEREAS, In fulfilling its mission, the Texas Maritime Museum |
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focuses on four broad areas: the exploration and settlement of the |
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Texas Gulf Coast; the history and development of Texas seaports, |
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maritime communities, and maritime commerce; the history of the |
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Texas seafood and fishing industry; and the history and technology |
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of offshore petroleum production and transportation; and |
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WHEREAS, Since opening its doors to the public on July 1, |
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1989, the museum has captured the interest of countless visitors |
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with its wide-ranging exhibits, interactive displays, and |
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educational programming; highlights include a permanent exhibit |
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related to one of the most important shipwreck excavations in North |
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America, that of La Salle's flagship the Belle, which sank in |
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Matagorda Bay in 1686; also featured are historic maritime |
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photographs and fishing equipment, a life-size re-creation of the |
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bridge of a merchant ship, and a survival capsule such as offshore |
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oil-rig personnel would use in case of an emergency; and |
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WHEREAS, The Texas Maritime Museum pursues an active |
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collecting program and currently houses more than 2,000 objects, |
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most of which are on display and all of which are catalogued in a |
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searchable computer database; in 2003, the museum opened a new |
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addition, which has increased its exhibit space and which also |
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serves as a functioning lighthouse; and |
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WHEREAS, This outstanding museum received accreditation from |
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the American Association of Museums in 2005, becoming the 38th |
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institution in Texas to be so recognized; and |
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WHEREAS, Through their efforts to preserve a heritage of |
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immeasurable importance to the Lone Star State, the directors, |
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staff, and volunteers of the Texas Maritime Museum are performing a |
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significant public service, and their exceptional achievements are |
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indeed to be commended; now, therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the 80th Legislature of the State of Texas |
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hereby honor the Texas Maritime Museum on the occasion of its 20th |
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anniversary as the official State Maritime Museum of Texas and |
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extend to all associated with that institution sincere best wishes |
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for continued success; and, be it further |
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RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be |
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prepared for the Texas Maritime Museum as an expression of high |
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regard by the Texas House of Representatives and Senate. |
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Garcia |
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______________________________ |
______________________________ |
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President of the Senate |
Speaker of the House |
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I certify that H.C.R. No. 170 was adopted by the House on |
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April 13, 2007, by a non-record vote. |
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______________________________ |
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Chief Clerk of the House |
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I certify that H.C.R. No. 170 was adopted by the Senate on |
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April 23, 2007, by a viva-voce vote. |
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______________________________ |
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Secretary of the Senate |
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APPROVED: __________________ |
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Date |
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__________________ |
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Governor |