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SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 145
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WHEREAS, The Texas State Aquarium in Corpus Christi is an |
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outstanding institution that is committed to connecting people |
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with nature and promoting conservation of the Gulf of Mexico; and |
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WHEREAS, After two decades of planning and fund-raising, |
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the Texas State Aquarium first opened the doors to its original |
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Gulf of Mexico exhibit in 1990; over the years, many new |
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permanent and special exhibits have been introduced, allowing |
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spectators to see a live bald eagle, to touch and feed stingrays, |
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to watch Atlantic bottlenose dolphins play, and to get an |
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underwater view of the habitat formed around an oil platform in |
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the Gulf; the aquarium also features a splash park, an artificial |
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fossil dig site for uncovering casts of prehistoric animal bones, |
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and the Hawn Wild Flight Theater, with presentations featuring |
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trained birds, and in 2014, it announced an expansion project |
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that will more than double the size of the facilities; and |
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WHEREAS, In addition to entertaining and delighting |
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visitors, this private, not-for-profit institution gives back to |
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the community through its education and conservation programs; |
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field trips, summer camps, and distance learning empower Texans of |
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all ages to discover more about nature and marine wildlife, while |
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the Second Chances Wildlife Rehabilitation Program provides care |
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for ill or injured shorebirds, birds of prey, marine mammals, and |
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sea turtles, returning them to their natural habitats whenever |
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possible; furthermore, the aquarium coordinates beach cleanups |
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three times a year, fosters awareness of Texas watersheds with its |
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Keepers of the Coast program, and awards grants through its |
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Wildlife Care, Conservation, and Research Fund; and |
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WHEREAS, The Texas State Aquarium has been honored with |
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numerous accolades, including the Outstanding Public-Private |
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Partnership Award from Mutual of America, the Munson Aquatic |
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Conservation Exhibitry Award from the American Zoo and Aquarium |
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Association, and the Conservation and Environmental Stewardship |
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Award for Public Awareness from the Coastal Bend Bays Foundation; |
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in 2014, it became one of only six aquariums in the nation to earn |
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a prestigious four-star rating from Charity Navigator; and |
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WHEREAS, By encouraging Texans to appreciate the diversity |
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and vulnerability of marine life, the aquarium is making a |
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significant contribution to the Lone Star State, and the efforts |
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and achievements of all involved in this worthy endeavor indeed |
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merit special commendation; now, therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 84th |
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Legislature, hereby recognize February 10, 2015, as Texas State |
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Aquarium Day and extend to all those associated with the aquarium |
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sincere best wishes for continued success; and, be it further |
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RESOLVED, That an official copy of this Resolution be |
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prepared for the Texas State Aquarium as an expression of high |
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regard from the Texas Senate. |
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Hinojosa |
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________________________________ |
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President of the Senate |
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I hereby certify that the |
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above Resolution was adopted by |
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the Senate on February 10, 2015. |
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________________________________ |
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Secretary of the Senate |
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________________________________ |
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Member, Texas Senate |