| |
| |
|
|
R E S O L U T I O N
|
|
|
WHEREAS, Many dedicated officers and honorably retired |
|
|
officers of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department are visiting |
|
|
Austin on February 19, 2019, to celebrate Texas Game Warden Day in |
|
|
conjunction with the annual Texas Game Warden and Game Warden Peace |
|
|
Officer Association Conference at the State Capitol; and |
|
|
WHEREAS, Since 1895, when the office of Fish and Oyster |
|
|
Commissioner was created by the 24th Texas Legislature, game |
|
|
wardens have played an essential role in wildlife conservation; the |
|
|
Fish and Oyster Commission was given jurisdiction in 1899 over all |
|
|
public waters, including freshwater streams, lakes, and ponds, and |
|
|
its purview was soon extended to shrimping and hunting; and |
|
|
WHEREAS, The name of the agency later became the Game, Fish, |
|
|
and Oyster Commission, and it changed again several times to |
|
|
reflect the expansion of its mission until, in 1963, it merged with |
|
|
the State Parks Board to form the current agency; in 1919, there |
|
|
were just six wardens, but their numbers grew as their duties |
|
|
continued to evolve, encompassing such tasks as the promotion of |
|
|
recreational water safety and the apprehension of criminals |
|
|
involved in a range of illegal activities in addition to wildlife |
|
|
law violations; and |
|
|
WHEREAS, In 1971, the legislature formally recognized as |
|
|
peace officers all law enforcement officers within the Texas Parks |
|
|
and Wildlife Department; the state is served today by some 550 game |
|
|
wardens, whose responsibilities have grown to include |
|
|
participation in homeland security initiatives on the state's |
|
|
border with Mexico; and |
|
|
WHEREAS, For well over a century, game wardens have enforced |
|
|
natural resource conservation laws in the Lone Star State, and |
|
|
their vital contributions have earned the deep appreciation of all |
|
|
Texans; now, therefore, be it |
|
|
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 86th Texas |
|
|
Legislature hereby recognize February 19, 2019, as Texas Game |
|
|
Warden Day at the State Capitol and honor these outstanding |
|
|
professionals as they commemorate 124 years of public service. |