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CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
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WHEREAS, Texas has been the nation's top exporting state for |
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the last 14 consecutive years, with an estimated $650 billion in |
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trade in 2015 alone; exports support some 1.6 million jobs and |
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contribute over $200 billion to the gross state product; and |
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WHEREAS, The Gulf Coast region of Texas plays a crucial role |
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in the prosperity of the state, as it is home not only to the largest |
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concentration of petrochemical manufacturing and refining |
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facilities in the United States but also to the federal Strategic |
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Petroleum Reserve and a vital supply of aviation jet fuel for |
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military and commercial use; in addition, Texas ports along the |
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Gulf Coast are integral to the chemical manufacturing industry and |
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to both the state and national economies; and |
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WHEREAS, This Gulf Coast region, however, is vulnerable to |
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major weather events, including intense hurricanes, which in the |
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recent past have devastated area cities by causing significant loss |
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of life, destroying residential and commercial property, damaging |
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sensitive ecosystems, and weakening local economies; and |
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WHEREAS, In response to the havoc wreaked by Hurricanes Ike |
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and Rita, researchers at the Center for Texas Beaches and Shores at |
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Texas A&M University at Galveston designed the Coastal Spine; plans |
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for implementing the structure have included consideration of |
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scientific research, historical storm data, and existing systems; |
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moreover, the environmental impact such an apparatus would have on |
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the surrounding area and waterway is being vigorously evaluated, |
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and the study is expected to be completed in the summer of 2017; and |
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WHEREAS, The Gulf Coast Community Protection and Recovery |
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District, composed of Orange, Jefferson, Chambers, Harris, |
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Galveston, and Brazoria Counties, was created by Governor Rick |
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Perry in the aftermath of Hurricane Ike; its board, which |
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represents more than 6.5 million residents who live in the upper |
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Gulf Coast area, has determined that the Coastal Spine is the best |
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method for protecting against storm surges along the Texas coast; |
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the concept has also gained widespread support from residents, |
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businesses, and elected officials throughout the coastal region; |
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and |
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WHEREAS, The potential benefits of the Coastal Spine are |
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manifold, ranging from preserving life and property to spurring |
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economic growth and cutting state expenses for disaster assistance, |
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and it is necessary for the U.S. government to provide aid and |
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support for further research, design, and construction of the |
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coastal barrier; now, therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the 85th Legislature of the State of Texas |
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hereby express its support for the development and construction of |
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a coastal barrier to protect the Gulf Coast region of Texas from |
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storm surges; and, be it further |
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RESOLVED, That the Texas Legislature hereby urge the United |
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States Congress to provide sufficient federal funding for the |
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construction of the project; and, be it further |
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RESOLVED, That the Texas Legislature hereby urge the U.S. |
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Congress to expedite the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers design and |
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construction process; and, be it further |
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RESOLVED, That the Texas secretary of state forward official |
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copies of this resolution to the president of the United States, to |
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the president of the Senate and the speaker of the House of |
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Representatives of the United States Congress, and to all the |
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members of the Texas delegation to Congress with the request that |
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this resolution be entered in the Congressional Record as a |
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memorial to the Congress of the United States of America. |