SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 292
         WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas is pleased to
  join the citizens of Jefferson and Orange Counties in the joyous
  celebration of Golden Triangle Days at the State Capitol on March
  1 through 3, 2015; and
 
         WHEREAS, Hundreds of visitors from throughout the
  culturally unique region formed by the cities of Beaumont,
  Orange, and Port Arthur have come to Austin to meet with elected
  officials in order to express appreciation for their work and to
  inform lawmakers of opportunities to further strengthen the
  communities that make up the Golden Triangle; and
 
         WHEREAS, Jefferson and Orange County residents have
  gathered for Golden Triangle Days to demonstrate their
  commitment to working together for the good of their region and
  the great State of Texas; and
 
         WHEREAS, Jefferson and Orange Counties are important
  providers of energy and chemical manufactured products; the
  region is home to the Sabine Neches Waterway, which supports the
  Ports of Beaumont, Orange, and Port Arthur; the ship channel is
  fourth in the nation in tonnage, first in bulk liquid cargo, and
  first among the nation's commercial military out load ports; the
  federal government in legislation signed by the president on June
  10, 2014, authorized improvements that include deepening the
  ship channel from 40 to 48 feet, which will further enhance this
  globally competitive gateway to Texas; and
 
         WHEREAS, The region links to an extensive rail and pipeline
  system that supports communities and businesses across the
  country in refining a minimum of 13 percent of America's daily
  fuel consumption; construction has been completed on the
  Keystone pipeline from Oklahoma to Jefferson County; with over
  $21 billion in announced new economic development projects and
  another $24 billion under consideration, the region has
  developed strong business prospects, and it was first in Texas in
  gross domestic product growth in 2014; and
 
         WHEREAS, The distinctive cultural and historic
  contributions of this region are highlighted by numerous tourist
  attractions, including Shangri La Botanical Gardens and Nature
  Center, Big Thicket National Preserve, and coastal habitats such
  as Sea Rim State Park and the McFaddin National Wildlife Refuge,
  which match the region's economic contributions with a strong
  commitment to the environment; the area is home to Lamar
  University, Lamar State College--Orange, Lamar State
  College--Port Arthur, and the Lamar Institute of Technology;
  these and many other education and training assets contribute
  significantly to the development of a workforce-ready
  population; and
 
         WHEREAS, The people of Orange and Jefferson Counties have
  been building a vibrant, forward-reaching region, and it is a
  pleasure to acknowledge the public-spirited citizens from the
  Golden Triangle for their dedication and commitment to their
  communities and to this great state; now, therefore, be it
 
         RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 84th
  Legislature, hereby recognize March 1 through 3, 2015, as
  Golden Triangle Days at the Capitol and welcome the region's
  visitors to Austin.
 
  Nichols
   
   
   
    ________________________________ 
        President of the Senate
     
        I hereby certify that the
    above Resolution was adopted by
    the Senate on March 2, 2015.
   
   
   
    ________________________________ 
        Secretary of the Senate
   
   
   
    ________________________________ 
         Member, Texas Senate