H.R. No. 354

	R E S O L U T I O N
	WHEREAS, The Texas State Aquarium in Corpus Christi is an
	outstanding institution that is committed to connecting people with
	nature and promoting conservation of the Gulf of Mexico; and
	WHEREAS, After two decades of planning and fund-raising, TSA
	first opened the doors to its original Gulf of Mexico exhibit in
	1990; over the years, many new permanent and special exhibits have
	been introduced, allowing spectators to see a live bald eagle, to
	touch and feed stingrays, to watch Atlantic bottlenose dolphins
	play, and to get an underwater view of the habitat formed around an
	oil platform in the Gulf; the aquarium also features a splash park,
	an artificial fossil dig site for uncovering casts of prehistoric
	animal bones, and the Hawn Wild Flight Theater, with presentations
	featuring trained birds, and in 2014, it announced an expansion
	project that will more than double the size of the facilities; and
	WHEREAS, In addition to entertaining and delighting
	visitors, this private, not-for-profit institution gives back to
	the community through its education and conservation programs;
	field trips, summer camps, and distance learning empower Texans of
	all ages to discover more about nature and marine wildlife, while
	the Second Chances Wildlife Rehabilitation Program provides care
	for ill or injured shorebirds, birds of prey, marine mammals, and
	sea turtles, returning them to their natural habitats whenever
	possible; furthermore, the aquarium coordinates beach cleanups
	three times a year, fosters awareness of Texas watersheds with its
	Keepers of the Coast program, and awards grants through its
	Wildlife Care, Conservation, and Research Fund; and
	WHEREAS, TSA has been honored with numerous accolades,
	including the Outstanding Public-Private Partnership Award from
	Mutual of America, the Munson Aquatic Conservation Exhibitry Award
	from the American Zoo and Aquarium Association, and the
	Conservation and Environmental Stewardship Award for Public
	Awareness from the Coastal Bend Bays Foundation; in 2014, it became
	one of only six aquariums in the nation to earn a prestigious
	four-star rating from Charity Navigator; and
	WHEREAS, By encouraging Texans to appreciate the diversity
	and vulnerability of marine life, the aquarium is making a
	significant contribution to the Lone Star State, and the efforts
	and achievements of all involved in this worthy endeavor indeed
	merit special commendation; now, therefore, be it
	RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 84th Texas
	Legislature hereby recognize February 10, 2015, as Texas State
	Aquarium Day and extend to all those associated with the aquarium
	sincere best wishes for continued success; and, be it further
	RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
	prepared for the Texas State Aquarium as an expression of high
	regard by the Texas House of Representatives.
	Herrero
	Hunter
	Lozano
	Straus Guerra Otto
	Allen Guillen Paddie
	Alonzo Gutierrez Parker
	Alvarado Harless Paul
	Anchia Hernandez Peña
	Anderson of Dallas Herrero Phelan
	Anderson of McLennan Howard Phillips
	Ashby Huberty Pickett
	Aycock Hughes Price
	Bell Hunter Raney
	Blanco Isaac Raymond
	Bohac Israel Reynolds
	Bonnen of Brazoria Johnson Riddle
	Bonnen of Galveston Kacal Rinaldi
	Burkett Keffer Rodriguez of Bexar
	Burns Keough Rodriguez of Travis
	Burrows King of Hemphill Romero, Jr.
	Button King of Parker Rose
	Canales King of Taylor Sanford
	Capriglione King of Uvalde Schaefer
	Clardy Klick Schofield
	Coleman Koop Shaheen
	Collier Krause Sheets
	Cook Kuempel Sheffield
	Craddick Landgraf Simmons
	Crownover Larson Simpson
	Dale Laubenberg Smith
	Darby Leach Smithee
	Davis of Dallas Longoria Spitzer
	Davis of Harris Lozano Springer
	Deshotel Lucio III Stephenson
	Dukes Márquez Stickland
	Dutton Martinez Thompson of Brazoria
	Elkins Martinez Fischer Thompson of Harris
	Faircloth McClendon Tinderholt
	Fallon Menéndez Turner of Collin
	Farias Metcalf Turner of Harris
	Farney Meyer Turner of Tarrant
	Farrar Miles VanDeaver
	Fletcher Miller of Comal Villalba
	Flynn Miller of Fort Bend Vo
	Frank Moody Walle
	Frullo Morrison White of Bell
	Galindo Muñoz, Jr. White of Tyler
	Geren Murphy Workman
	Giddings Murr Wray
	Goldman Naishtat Wu
	Gonzales Nevárez Zedler
	González Oliveira Zerwas
	______________________________
	Speaker of the House
	I certify that H.R. No. 354 was adopted by the House on February
	10, 2015, by a non-record vote.
	______________________________
	Chief Clerk of the House