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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, Proud residents of Aransas County are gathering in |
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Austin to celebrate Aransas County Day at the State Capitol on |
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February 17, 2011; and |
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WHEREAS, This region of coastal prairie, marshlands, and |
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sandy beaches was first inhabited by native peoples 8,000 years |
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ago, and early European visitors to the area included the famed |
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shipwreck survivor Cabeza de Vaca and the explorers Alonso De Leon |
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and Diego Ortiz Parrilla; and |
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WHEREAS, In 1828, the Mexican government awarded an |
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empresario grant to James Power and James Hewetson to enable them to |
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bring in settlers from Ireland and Mexico, and not long after the |
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Civil War, the towns of Fulton and Rockport were founded as ports |
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for the cattle business; Aransas County was formed in 1871 and named |
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after Rio Nuestra Senora de Aranzazu, a Spanish palace; and |
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WHEREAS, Today, the county's ample recreational |
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opportunities draw visitors from around the state and nation; the |
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variety of wildlife found in Aransas National Wildlife Refuge |
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includes the whooping crane, javelina, alligators, and |
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white-tailed deer, and the Bird Garden and Wetlands Pond in |
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Rockport and the Connie Hagar Cottage Sanctuary help preserve a |
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variety of fascinating flora and fauna; and |
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WHEREAS, Rockport Harbor is the home port of many popular |
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boating excursions for birders, dolphin-watchers, and devotees of |
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deep-sea fishing, while the Fulton Harbor Pier and Copano Bay State |
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Fishing Pier offer first-rate opportunities for angling; fresh |
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seafood is available year-round in the area's fine restaurants; and |
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WHEREAS, The county's history is evoked by the fully restored |
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19th century mansion at the Fulton Mansion State Historic Site, |
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while the Texas Maritime Museum in Rockport celebrates the marine |
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heritage of the Lone Star State; the Rockport Center for the Arts is |
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a hub for the region's thriving cultural scene, which includes such |
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festive annual events as the Bountiful Bowl Pottery Fair, the |
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Fulton Oysterfest, the Rockport Film Festival, and many others; and |
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WHEREAS, Blessed with great natural beauty, a rich history, |
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and a vibrant creative community, Aransas County is one of the |
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treasures of the Lone Star State, and its citizens may indeed take |
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great pride in their heritage as they look forward to a future |
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filled with opportunity; now, therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 82nd Texas |
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Legislature hereby recognize February 17, 2011, 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 memorable and meaningful visit to Austin. |
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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. 136 was adopted by the House on |
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February 17, 2011, by a non-record vote. |
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______________________________ |
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Chief Clerk of the House |
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