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