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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, Residents of Port Aransas are gathering in Austin on |
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March 19, 2019, to celebrate Port Aransas Day at the State Capitol; |
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and |
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WHEREAS, In the early 1800s, Mustang Island was frequented by |
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the famed buccaneer Jean Lafitte, and in 1855, an English sheep and |
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cattle rancher named Robert A. Mercer built a cabin on the island; a |
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community developed around the site, and the first post office was |
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established in 1888 and called Ropesville; eight years later it was |
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renamed Tarpon to highlight the island's fine fishing, and in 1911, |
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the town was officially designated as Port Aransas; and |
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WHEREAS, Since World War II, the city has become one of the |
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most popular resort destinations on the Texas Gulf Coast, and the |
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superb beaches draw campers, swimmers, and surfers from across the |
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Lone Star State; the town's launching ramps, lighted piers, and |
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jetties enable anglers to catch a wide variety of fish, including |
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red snapper, shark, sand trout, tuna, and bonito; and |
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WHEREAS, Port Aransas is one of the top bird-watching |
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locations in the country, and many areas afford fine opportunities |
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to view local species such as herons and roseate spoonbills as well |
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as the annual migrations of hummingbirds, flycatchers, and orioles; |
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additionally, visitors may delight in the town's art galleries, |
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shops, restaurants, and locations of historical interest; and |
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WHEREAS, Blessed with natural beauty and a colorful history, |
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Port Aransas is one of the Lone Star State's great treasures, and |
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its citizens may indeed take pride in their rich heritage and |
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ongoing achievements; now, therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 86th Texas |
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Legislature hereby recognize March 19, 2019, as Port Aransas Day at |
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the State Capitol and extend to the visiting delegation sincere |
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best wishes for a meaningful and memorable stay in Austin. |