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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, The foremost long-distance relay in the United |
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States is taking place in Corpus Christi in May 2014 with the |
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staging of the 39th annual Beach to Bay Relay Marathon; and |
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WHEREAS, The marathon was founded by Commander John |
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Butterfield, who envisioned the race as a way for runners to honor |
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our nation's military personnel; the very first event was held on |
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Armed Forces Day in 1975, and it has continued to take place on that |
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holiday ever since; and |
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WHEREAS, More than 16,000 contestants from the United States |
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and from countries as far away as Kenya make the Beach to Bay Relay |
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Marathon the largest competition of its kind in this country; when |
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the starting gun fires, as many as 2,600 teams send their first |
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runner down the 26.2-mile course, with five additional teammates |
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being stationed every 4.4 miles along the route; the race stretches |
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from the sands of North Padre Island past the Naval Air Station to |
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the finish line at McCaughan Park; and |
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WHEREAS, The event also includes a lively postrace |
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celebration that features live music, food, and refreshments as |
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well as the presentation of awards to the top finishers; and |
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WHEREAS, This popular competition is sanctioned by the Corpus |
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Christi Roadrunners club, which donates all race proceeds to more |
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than 45 Coastal Bend charities, including Special Olympics, the |
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Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society, and numerous youth groups; and |
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WHEREAS, Through the years, the Beach to Bay Relay Marathon |
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has flourished thanks to the dedicated efforts of race organizers |
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and generous volunteers, and their endeavors have created a fun and |
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challenging contest that provides enormous benefits to the |
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community and that is prized by runners in the Lone Star State and |
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beyond; 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 39th annual Beach to Bay Relay |
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Marathon and extend sincere best wishes to all those associated |
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with the race for a successful and enjoyable event; and, be it |
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further |
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RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be |
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prepared for the race organizers as an expression of high regard by |
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the Texas House of Representatives. |