SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 556

WHEREAS, Proud residents of Port Aransas are gathering in Austin to celebrate Port Aransas Day at the State Capitol on April 4, 2017; and

WHEREAS, The site of the town on Mustang Island was first inhabited by the Karankawa, and in the early 1800s, it was frequented by the famed buccaneer Jean Lafitte; the natural passage between the island and Saint Joseph Island was originally named Aranzazu, and it became known as Aransas Pass; and

WHEREAS, In 1855, an English sheep and cattle rancher named Robert A. Mercer built a cabin on Mustang Island at the site that later became the town; Elihu Harrison Ropes started a project to dig a channel across the island in 1890, and the community that grew around the new post office was called Ropesville; in 1896, 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; the superb beaches draw campers, swimmers, and surfers from across the Lone Star State, and the town's launching ramps, lighted piers, and jetties enable anglers to catch a wide diversity of fish, including red snapper, shark, sand trout, tuna, and bonito; and

WHEREAS, Port Aransas is also one of the top bird-watching destinations in the nation, and many preserved venues afford fine opportunities to view such local species as herons and roseate spoonbills and to observe the annual migrations of hummingbirds, flycatchers, and orioles; and

WHEREAS, The rich variety of sea life found along the Gulf Coast can be appreciated at The University of Texas Marine Science Institute; visitors also delight in the town's many fine art galleries, shops, seafood restaurants, and lodging accommodations, including the historic Tarpon Inn, which displays tarpon scales signed by such famous visitors as President Franklin Delano Roosevelt and movie star Hedy Lamarr; and

WHEREAS, Blessed with natural beauty and a colorful history, Port Aransas is one of the jewels of the Lone Star State, and its citizens may indeed take great pride in their heritage and ongoing achievements; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 85th Legislature, hereby recognize April 4, 2017, as Port Aransas Day at the State Capitol and extend to the visiting delegation sincere best wishes for an enjoyable and informative visit to Austin.

Kolkhorst

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President of the Senate

I hereby certify that the above Resolution was adopted by the Senate on April 3, 2017.

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Secretary of the Senate

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Member, Texas Senate