SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 36

WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas is pleased to join Texans across the state in celebrating January 24, 2017, as Oyster Day; and

WHEREAS, Oysters are among the wide variety of mollusks found in the estuarine waters of the Texas Gulf Coast; they typically grow as consolidated reefs that provide habitat for more than 300 marine aquatic species; and

WHEREAS, Oysters function as the lungs of our coastal systems and play an important role in maintaining good water quality in the state's bays and estuaries; each oyster is a small filtering system and is able to pump 50 gallons of water through its body every day to remove bacteria, sediments, and even toxins from oil spills; oyster reefs stabilize ocean shorelines and make them less susceptible to damage from hurricanes and strong storms; and

WHEREAS, A valuable source of food, oysters provide high levels of omega-3 fatty acids and zinc; they support a robust commercial fishing industry in Matagorda, Galveston, and San Antonio Bays; the Texas oyster industry has a $50 million impact on the state's economy and provides roughly 15 percent of the nation's total harvest; and

WHEREAS, Oysters serve as one of Texas' prized natural resources, and it is fitting that a day be set aside to recognize the essential ecological and economic roles oysters play in our state; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 85th Legislature, hereby proclaim January 24, 2017, as Oyster Day; and, be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared in honor of this special occasion.

Taylor of Galveston

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President of the Senate

I hereby certify that the above Resolution was adopted by the Senate on January 24, 2017.

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Secretary of the Senate

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Member, Texas Senate