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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, On July 20, 2012, 16-year-old Kali Gorzell of San |
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Antonio lost her life in a boating accident on Aransas Bay, when the |
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flats boat she was riding in unexpectedly swapped ends, ejecting |
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her into the water; since that tragic day, her family has worked |
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tirelessly to address safety concerns and raise public awareness of |
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the potential operational defects of the hull designs of flats |
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boats; and |
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WHEREAS, In response to a consumer safety defect complaint |
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filed by the Gorzell family, the United States Coast Guard hired an |
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independent contractor in 2013 to conduct a study on the safety of |
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flats boats; the evaluation found design flaws that, under certain |
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conditions, made the boats vulnerable to swapping ends events |
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during routine operation; and |
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WHEREAS, The coast guard later published the report in its |
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Fall 2014 Boating Safety Circular and shared operational practices |
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for flats boats; these guidelines include having passengers occupy |
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areas of the vessel behind the console, where handholds are more |
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accessible, operating with the motor fully engaged with the water |
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in a down position, and avoiding aggressive turns at speeds above 25 |
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miles per hour; and |
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WHEREAS, In addition to the coast guard's instructions, the |
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Texas Parks and Wildlife Department advises the public to wear life |
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jackets, use a kill switch, and take a boating safety course to |
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ensure optimal protection while on the water; and |
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WHEREAS, Responsible boating practices help ensure safe and |
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enjoyable water recreation and are of paramount importance to |
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boaters of all ages and skill levels; now, therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 84th Texas |
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Legislature hereby pay tribute to the life of Kali Gorzell and |
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encourage boaters and anglers to heed warning labels and to employ |
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safe boating practices; and, be it further |
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RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be |
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prepared for the Gorzell family in recognition of their steadfast |
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resolve to educate the public on boating safety in the aftermath of |
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their beloved daughter's passing. |