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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, Cape's Dam and Mill Race on the San Marcos River is |
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150 years old in 2017, and this is a fitting opportunity to |
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celebrate this unique structure's importance to the history and |
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recreational culture of the region; and |
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WHEREAS, The dam and the mill race were constructed on the |
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river in 1867 by William Alexander Thompson, an early pioneer in |
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Hays County; the dam earned its name from a subsequent owner, John |
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Matthew Cape, and it represents one of the earliest industrial |
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enterprises in the county; it remains historically significant as |
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one of the few 19th-century mill sites still extant in Texas; and |
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WHEREAS, The dam was built using an existing slough, creating |
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three islands known as Thompson's Islands between the San Marcos |
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River and the mill race; in the years since, these islands have |
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become a sanctuary for a variety of wildlife and flora, and the |
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river and the mill race are part of a federally designated habitat |
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for three of the five endangered species in the San Marcos and Comal |
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river basin; and |
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WHEREAS, The mill race and the 14-foot waterfall where it |
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reconnects with the river's main channel create a popular swimming |
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hole at Stokes Park, and each year, thousands of Texans enjoy the |
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recreational opportunities afforded by the site; the mill race has |
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also become a place of healing for wounded veterans who visit each |
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week from VA medical centers, as well as for veterans from Brooke |
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Army Medical Center in San Antonio, who kayak there for |
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rehabilitation; and |
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WHEREAS, The site has likewise become a mecca for competitive |
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kayakers and has been used for training by 10 international teams, |
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17 Olympians, 8 Olympic coaches, and 2 Paralympians; these include |
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10 world champions, 2 Olympic medalists, and 64 national team |
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members; in addition, the slow portions of the race provide a safe |
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place for less experienced paddlers, such as Boy Scout troops and |
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other youth groups, to hone their skills; and |
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WHEREAS, In 1985, the National Park Service determined that |
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Cape's Dam and Mill Race were eligible for the National Register of |
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Historic Places, and the site is home to three Official Texas State |
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Historical Markers; and |
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WHEREAS, A century and a half ago, early settlers in Hays |
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County created Cape's Dam and Mill Race to help establish commerce |
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in the region, and in the years since, it has become an important |
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monument to the area's heritage as well as a vital recreational |
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resource; now, therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 85th Texas |
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Legislature hereby commemorate the 150th anniversary of Cape's Dam |
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and Mill Race and celebrate the historical significance of this |
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landmark site. |
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Isaac |
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______________________________ |
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Speaker of the House |
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I certify that H.R. No. 792 was adopted by the House on March |
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16, 2017, by a non-record vote. |
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______________________________ |
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Chief Clerk of the House |
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