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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, Many retired Texas game wardens and their spouses |
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are visiting Austin on May 20, 2015, to celebrate Retired Texas Game |
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Warden Day at the State Capitol and to commemorate the 120 years of |
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dedicated service that game wardens have provided to the Lone Star |
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State; and |
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WHEREAS, Since 1895, when the office of Fish and Oyster |
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Commissioner was created by the 24th Texas Legislature, game |
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wardens have played an essential role in wildlife conservation; the |
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Fish and Oyster Commission was given jurisdiction in 1899 over all |
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public waters, including freshwater streams, lakes, and ponds, and |
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its purview was soon extended to shrimping and hunting; the name of |
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the agency later became the Game, Fish, and Oyster Commission, and |
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it changed again several times to reflect the expansion of its |
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mission until, in 1963, it merged with the State Parks Board to form |
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the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department; and |
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WHEREAS, In the early years, there were just six wardens, but |
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their numbers grew as their duties continued to evolve, |
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encompassing such tasks as the promotion of recreational water |
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safety and the apprehension of criminals involved in a range of |
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illegal activities in addition to wildlife law violations; Texas |
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A&M University established the Texas Game Warden Academy in 1946, |
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and 14 cadets attended that first formal game warden training; in |
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1971, the legislature formally recognized as peace officers all law |
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enforcement officers within the TPWD; the state is presently served |
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by some 530 game wardens, whose responsibilities have grown to |
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include participation in homeland security initiatives; and |
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WHEREAS, Today there are approximately 340 retired Texas game |
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wardens living with their families in the Lone Star State, and their |
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vital contributions to the betterment of this state have earned |
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them the deep appreciation of all Texans; 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 May 20, 2015, as Retired Texas Game |
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Warden Day at the State Capitol and commemorate 120 years of public |
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service by Texas game wardens. |