SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 110
         WHEREAS, Proud residents of Port Aransas are gathering in
  Austin to celebrate Port Aransas Day at the State Capitol on
  February 9, 2011; and
 
         WHEREAS, The town's location on Mustang Island was first
  inhabited by the Karankawa Indians, and in the early 1800s, it
  was frequented by the famed buccaneer Jean Lafitte; the natural
  passage between the island and Saint Joseph Island was originally
  named Aranzazu and later became known as Aransas Pass; and
 
         WHEREAS, In 1855, an English sheep and cattle rancher named
  Robert A. Mercer built a cabin on Mustang Island at the site that
  later became the town; Elihu Harrison Ropes started a project to
  dig a channel across the island in 1890, and the community that
  grew around the new post office was called Ropesville; in 1896,
  it was renamed Tarpon to highlight the island's fine fishing, and
  in 1911, the town was officially designated as Port Aransas; and
 
         WHEREAS, Since World War II, the city has become one of the
  most popular resort destinations on the Texas Gulf Coast; the
  superb beaches of nearby Mustang Island State Park draw campers,
  swimmers, and surfers from across the Lone Star State, and the
  town's launching ramps and three lighted piers enable anglers to
  catch a wide diversity of fish, including red snapper, shark,
  sand trout, tuna, and bonito; and
 
         WHEREAS, Port Aransas is also one of the top bird-watching
  destinations in the nation, and the Leonabelle Turnbull Birding
  Center, the Port Aransas Wetland Park, and other nature centers
  afford fine opportunities to view local species such as herons
  and roseate spoonbills as well as the annual migrations of
  hummingbirds, flycatchers, and orioles; and
 
         WHEREAS, The rich variety of sea life that resides along
  the Gulf Coast can be appreciated at the aquariums at The
  University of Texas Marine Science Institute; visitors also
  delight in the town's many fine art galleries, shops, seafood
  restaurants, and hotels, including the historic Tarpon Inn,
  which has hosted such famous visitors as President Franklin
  Delano Roosevelt and movie star Hedy Lamarr; and
 
         WHEREAS, Blessed with natural beauty and a colorful
  history, Port Aransas is one of the jewels of the Lone Star State,
  and its citizens may indeed take great pride in their heritage
  and ongoing achievements; now, therefore, be it
         RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 82nd
  Legislature, hereby recognize February 9, 2011, as Port Aransas
  Day at the State Capitol and extend to the visiting delegation
  sincere best wishes for a meaningful and memorable visit to
  Austin.
 
  Hinojosa
   
   
   
    ________________________________ 
        President of the Senate
     
        I hereby certify that the
    above Resolution was adopted by
    the Senate on February 9, 2011.
   
   
   
    ________________________________ 
        Secretary of the Senate
   
   
   
    ________________________________ 
         Member, Texas Senate