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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, Proud citizens of Aransas County are gathering at |
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the State Capitol in Austin to celebrate Aransas County Day on |
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February 26, 2009; and |
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WHEREAS, First inhabited nearly 8,000 years ago, Spanish |
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explorers visited the area as early as the 1500s, and a Spanish |
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customhouse was established on Copano Bay in the 1780s; during the |
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Civil War, the area was the site of several battles between Union |
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and Confederate forces; and |
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WHEREAS, The towns of Fulton and Rockport were founded in the |
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years after the war and soon became important packing and shipping |
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centers for local cattle ranches; Aransas County was formed from |
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Refugio County in 1872, with Rockport as the county seat; during the |
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20th century, commercial fishing and shrimping became mainstays of |
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the area economy; and |
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WHEREAS, Today, tourism has become vital to the region's |
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prosperity; the waters of the Gulf of Mexico and the county's bays |
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and inlets provide fine opportunities for boating and eco-tours; in |
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addition, there is excellent fishing from the Copano Bay State |
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Fishing Pier and the jetty in the Rockport Yacht Basin as well as on |
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fishing excursions aboard group and charter boats; and |
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WHEREAS, The winter destination of the world's only flock of |
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migrating whooping cranes, Aransas National Wildlife Refuge is also |
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home to 400 species of birds and such animals as alligators, |
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javelina, and white-tailed deer; Goose Island State Park and Connie |
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Hagar Cottage Sanctuary are also prime locations for viewing birds |
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and other wildlife; and |
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WHEREAS, The rich nautical history of Texas is the focus of |
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the Texas Maritime Museum in Rockport, which is the state's |
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official maritime museum; visitors to Rockport can also get a |
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first-hand look at a fully restored 19th-century mansion at the |
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Fulton Mansion State Historic Site; and |
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WHEREAS, Rockport has been cited as one of the top 10 art |
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colonies in the United States by Coastal Living magazine, and the |
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county is home to more than 300 artists, 15 art galleries, and the |
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Rockport Center for the Arts; the Rockport Art Festival in July is |
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one of the largest juried festivals in the nation; and |
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WHEREAS, Aransas County is blessed with natural wonders, a |
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vibrant cultural scene, and a colorful history, and its residents |
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may take great pride in their heritage and ongoing achievements; |
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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 hereby recognize February 26, 2009, as Aransas County |
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Day at the State Capitol and extend to the visiting delegation |
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sincere best wishes for a meaningful and memorable visit to Austin. |