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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, On July 1, 2009, the Texas Maritime Museum in |
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Rockport is marking the 20th anniversary of its opening, and this |
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occasion offers a welcome opportunity to pay tribute to this |
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popular and respected institution; and |
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WHEREAS, After being designated as the official State |
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Maritime Museum in 1987, TMM admitted its first visitors on July 1, |
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1989; from that day forward, it has done an exceptional job of |
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fulfilling its mission of creating greater awareness and |
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understanding of the prominent role that seagoing exploration and |
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commerce has played in the saga of the Lone Star State; and |
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WHEREAS, The museum has been especially active in showcasing |
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the early exploration and settlement of the Gulf Coast, including |
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the experiences of the expedition led by French explorer Rene |
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Robert La Salle that arrived on Matagorda Island in the 1680s; TMM |
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is one of the museums participating in the La Salle Odyssey project, |
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and its exhibit includes a scale replica of the Belle, La Salle's |
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ship that sank in Matagorda Bay in 1686 and was excavated in the |
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late 1990s; and |
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WHEREAS, Other central themes presented by the museum include |
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the history and development of seaports and maritime commerce along |
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the coast, an overview of the Texas seafood and fishing industry, |
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and the history of offshore petroleum production and |
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transportation; these topics have been brought to life by numerous |
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imaginative exhibits, and the museum's outstanding work has |
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resulted in it being fully accredited by the American Association |
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of Museums, a standard of achievement that has been met by less |
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than 10 percent of the museums in the nation; and |
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WHEREAS, Through the years, TMM has added to its facilities |
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and offerings with enhancements that have included a lighthouse |
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addition and the creation of the Perry R. Bass Memorial Sports |
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Fishing Wall of Fame; moreover, a new Maritime Collections and |
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Education Center is presently under construction and will soon |
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provide additional opportunities for visitors; and |
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WHEREAS, The Texas Maritime Museum has spent two decades |
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illuminating important and enthralling elements of our state's |
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historic and ongoing relationship with the sea, and its admirable |
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work will continue to be a valuable resource in the years to come; |
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now, therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 81st Texas |
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Legislature, 1st Called Session, hereby commemorate the 20th |
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anniversary of the opening of the Texas Maritime Museum and extend |
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to the institution's directors, staff, and volunteers sincere best |
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wishes for continued success. |
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Hunter |
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______________________________ |
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Speaker of the House |
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I certify that H.R. No. 15 was adopted by the House on July 1, |
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2009, by a non-record vote. |
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______________________________ |
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Chief Clerk of the House |
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