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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, Community leaders from Port Isabel are gathering in |
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Austin to celebrate Port Isabel Day at the State Capitol on March 3, |
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2015; and |
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WHEREAS, Originally inhabited by the Coahuiltecan Indians, |
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the land was settled in the late 18th century by Spanish colonists |
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who fished the Laguna Madre; in the 1820s, the village, then called |
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El Fronton, was claimed by Rafael Garcia as part of the Potrero de |
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Santa Isabel tract, and it later became known as Point Isabel in |
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1850; and |
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WHEREAS, Through the decades, the port served as a crucial |
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military outpost, first for Mexican soldiers and later for the |
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U.S. Army; in 1853, the town erected the Port Isabel Lighthouse, |
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which was used as a lookout during the Cortina War as well as the |
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Civil War, when it was the site of two battles and was occupied by |
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both Union and Confederate soldiers; and |
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WHEREAS, The town was incorporated as Port Isabel on March |
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23, 1928, and in the ensuing years, it became an important center |
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for processing shrimp and other seafood; in 1934, the city was |
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selected as the host of the first annual Texas International |
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Fishing Tournament, which continues to this day as the oldest |
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angling competition in Texas; and |
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WHEREAS, The construction of the Queen Isabella Causeway, |
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which connects Port Isabel to nearby South Padre Island, was |
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completed in 1954, making the town an even more popular tourist |
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destination; today, its bayside setting offers visitors scenic |
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beauty and a number of exceptional attractions, including fishing |
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piers, museums, shops, seafood restaurants, and hotels as well as |
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the annual Shrimp Fiesta; and |
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WHEREAS, The residents of Port Isabel are justifiably proud |
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of their city's heritage even as they continue to build upon the |
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many qualities that make their community a great place in which to |
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live, play, and work; now, therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 84th Texas |
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Legislature hereby recognize March 3, 2015, as Port Isabel Day at |
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the State Capitol and extend best wishes to the visiting delegation |
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for an enjoyable visit to the seat of Texas government. |