| |
| |
|
|
R E S O L U T I O N
|
|
|
WHEREAS, Proud residents of Port Aransas are gathering in |
|
|
Austin on April 4, 2017, to celebrate Port Aransas Day at the State |
|
|
Capitol; and |
|
|
WHEREAS, In the early 1800s, Mustang Island was frequented by |
|
|
the famed buccaneer Jean Lafitte, and in 1855, an English sheep and |
|
|
cattle rancher named Robert A. Mercer built a cabin on the island; a |
|
|
community developed around the site, and the first post office was |
|
|
established in 1888 and called Ropesville; eight years later it was |
|
|
renamed Tarpon to highlight the island's fine fishing, and in 1911, |
|
|
the town was officially designated as Port Aransas; and |
|
|
WHEREAS, Since World War II, the city has become one of the |
|
|
most popular resort destinations on the Texas Gulf Coast, and the |
|
|
superb beaches draw campers, swimmers, and surfers from across the |
|
|
Lone Star State; the town's launching ramps, lighted piers, and |
|
|
jetties enable anglers to catch a wide variety of fish, including |
|
|
red snapper, shark, sand trout, tuna, and bonito, and the region's |
|
|
diverse range of sea life can also be appreciated at The University |
|
|
of Texas Marine Science Institute; and |
|
|
WHEREAS, Port Aransas is one of the top bird-watching |
|
|
locations in the country, and many areas afford fine opportunities |
|
|
to view local species such as herons and roseate spoonbills as well |
|
|
as the annual migrations of hummingbirds, flycatchers, and orioles; |
|
|
additionally, visitors may delight in the town's art galleries, |
|
|
shops, restaurants, and locations of historical interest; and |
|
|
WHEREAS, Blessed with natural beauty and a colorful history, |
|
|
Port Aransas is one of the Lone Star State's great treasures, and |
|
|
its citizens may indeed take pride in their rich heritage and |
|
|
ongoing achievements; now, therefore, be it |
|
|
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 85th Texas |
|
|
Legislature hereby recognize April 4, 2017, as Port Aransas Day at |
|
|
the State Capitol and extend to the visiting delegation sincere |
|
|
best wishes for a meaningful and memorable stay in Austin. |