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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department is marking |
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its 50th anniversary in 2013, and this milestone provides a fitting |
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opportunity to recognize its accomplishments; and |
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WHEREAS, On August 23, 1963, the 58th Texas Legislature |
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merged the operations of the Texas Game and Fish Commission and the |
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State Parks Board to create the Parks and Wildlife Department; the |
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new agency's first challenge was to improve and expand the park |
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system, and between 1968 and 1976, the acreage of parkland owned by |
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the state was nearly doubled; and |
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WHEREAS, Parks and Wildlife assumed responsibility for the |
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administration of the Texas Water Safety Act and of the Land and |
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Water Conservation Fund beginning in the 1960s and later |
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implemented the provisions of the Texas Endangered Species and |
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Wildlife Conservation Acts; and |
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WHEREAS, By the late 1980s, the Texas parks system |
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encompassed well over 400,000 acres, including parks, natural |
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areas, and historic sites; the department also protected and |
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managed the fish population in more than 600 public reservoirs and |
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16,000 miles of streams and rivers, as well as along 370 miles of |
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coastline; and |
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WHEREAS, Park use continued to rise, with more than 20 |
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million people visiting on an annual basis by the 1990s; the |
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agency's staff and administration have worked diligently through |
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the years to meet the challenges presented by population growth and |
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urbanization, partnering with diverse entities to conserve natural |
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and cultural resources and enhance opportunities for outdoor |
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recreation; and |
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WHEREAS, Over the past half-century, the vital endeavors of |
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the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department have enriched the lives of |
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innumerable citizens, and the agency has earned the profound |
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appreciation of all who treasure the natural beauty of the Lone Star |
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State; now, therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 83rd Texas |
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Legislature hereby commemorate the 50th anniversary of the |
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establishment of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department and honor |
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the staff and administration for their hard work and dedication on |
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its behalf; and, be it further |
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RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be |
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prepared for the department as an expression of high regard by the |
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Texas House of Representatives. |