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HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
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WHEREAS, The State of Texas traditionally has recognized a |
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variety of official symbols as tangible representations of the |
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proud character and colorful heritage of the Lone Star State; and |
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WHEREAS, Select members of the animal kingdom, including the |
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longhorn, the armadillo, and the Guadalupe bass, are among the |
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species that have been officially recognized, and their designation |
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has served to draw attention to the great biological diversity of |
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the Texas landscape and to highlight creatures who are unique to or |
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closely identified with the state; and |
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WHEREAS, The large variety of natural habitats in Texas as |
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well as the state's central location on the North American |
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continent have given it a rich array of amphibians; of the many |
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members of that class that share our lands and waters, one species |
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comes immediately to the forefront as an especially worthy symbol |
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of the state: the Texas toad; and |
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WHEREAS, Aptly named, the Texas toad lives primarily in the |
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Lone Star State, though it is also found in the neighboring areas of |
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New Mexico, Oklahoma, and northern Mexico; known by the scientific |
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name Bufo speciosus, it is one of the most abundant toad species in |
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Texas and resides in nearly all regions of the state with the |
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exception of the far eastern counties and parts of the western |
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Panhandle; and |
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WHEREAS, Ranging in color from gray to brown with dark |
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irregular markings, the Texas toad can grow to more than three |
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inches in length and is easily identified by the black tubercles on |
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its hind feet and by the absence of the back stripe that is seen on |
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many other toads; and |
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WHEREAS, These adaptable amphibians demonstrate the hardy |
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determination that Texans are known for; in order to survive in a |
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place where the sun is fierce and water can be scarce, they are |
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adept at taking refuge beneath rocks and in below-ground havens; |
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while most well suited to live in areas of sandy soil, they also |
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thrive in other locales and are found in environments that range |
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from desert to grasslands to wooded areas; and |
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WHEREAS, Relishing nothing more than a cooling shower, Texas |
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toads emerge in huge numbers following a summer rain and head for |
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the nearest pool of water in hopes of finding a mate; the toads have |
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a distinctive sound, with males emitting a call of explosive trills |
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to charm their lady friends; and |
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WHEREAS, Possessing a Buddha-like visage, this notable |
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creature is a common sight across much of Texas, and its indomitable |
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spirit and unique relationship with the state for which it was named |
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make it a most appropriate symbol of the Lone Star State; now, |
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therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the 81st Legislature of the State of Texas |
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hereby designate the Texas toad as the official State Amphibian of |
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Texas. |
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Bonnen |
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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. 18 was adopted by the House on April |
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22, 2009, 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. 18 was adopted by the Senate on May |
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21, 2009, 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 |