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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, The 8th annual World Seagrass Day in Aransas Pass is |
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being held on April 7, 2017, to raise awareness of seagrasses and |
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the vital role that they play in coastal ecosystems; and |
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WHEREAS, Seagrasses are submerged flowering plants found in |
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bays, lagoons, and other areas with shallow marine water, including |
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the continental shelf of the Gulf of Mexico; an important indicator |
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species, the grasses provide food and habitat for marine |
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invertebrates, and their ability to sustain fish populations makes |
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them particularly important to Aransas Pass and other communities |
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that rely on commercial and recreational fishing; in addition, |
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seagrasses help to maintain water quality and clarity and stabilize |
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the sea floor, which can lessen the impact of waves and potentially |
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reduce storm damage; and |
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WHEREAS, The self-proclaimed "Seagrass Capital of the |
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World," Aransas Pass partially overlaps with the Redfish Bay State |
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Scientific Area; designated by the Texas Parks and Wildlife |
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Department, this area features around 50 miles of prime fishing |
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habitat and 14,000 acres of submerged seagrass beds; since 2006, |
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TPWD has regulated public boating activities in the area to prevent |
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damage to the grasses, and in 2013, the Texas Legislature followed |
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suit by passing House Bill 3279, which requires safe boating |
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practices around all seagrass habitats in Texas coastal waters; and |
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WHEREAS, Aransas Pass and Live Oak Peninsula are home to the |
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Science & Spanish Club Network; this innovative program was started |
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by the Gulf of Mexico Foundation with the goal of developing youth |
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leadership by teaching stewardship of the Gulf of Mexico and the |
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greater Gulf Stream ecosystem; to date, two area campuses, Charlie |
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Marshall Elementary in Aransas Pass and Blaschke-Sheldon |
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Elementary in Ingleside, have been designated Seagrass Savvy |
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Schools by the program, and more are expected to be announced during |
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future World Seagrass Day events; and |
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WHEREAS, By encouraging Texans to be responsible caretakers |
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of seagrasses, the celebration of World Seagrass Day is helping to |
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promote the conservation and biodiversity of our state's precious |
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coastal ecosystems for this and future generations, and all those |
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taking part in this observance are to be commended for supporting |
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this crucial cause; 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 8th annual World Seagrass Day in |
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Aransas Pass and extend to all those in attendance sincere best |
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wishes for an enjoyable and informative gathering. |
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Morrison |
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______________________________ |
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Speaker of the House |
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I certify that H.R. No. 1024 was adopted by the House on March |
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30, 2017, by a non-record vote. |
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______________________________ |
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Chief Clerk of the House |
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