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SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 113
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WHEREAS, Many dedicated officers and honorably retired |
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officers of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department are visiting |
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Austin on February 19, 2019, to celebrate Texas Game Warden Day |
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in conjunction with the annual Texas Game Warden and Game Warden |
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Peace Officer Association Conference at the State Capitol; and |
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WHEREAS, Since 1895, when the office of Fish and Oyster |
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Commissioner was created by the 24th Texas Legislature, game |
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wardens have played an essential role in wildlife conservation; |
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the Fish and Oyster Commission was given jurisdiction in 1899 |
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over all public waters, including freshwater streams, lakes, and |
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ponds, and its purview was soon extended to shrimping and |
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hunting; and |
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WHEREAS, The name of the agency later became the Game, |
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Fish, and Oyster Commission, and it changed again several times |
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to reflect the expansion of its mission until, in 1963, it merged |
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with the State Parks Board to form the current agency; in 1919, |
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there were just six wardens, but their numbers grew as their |
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duties continued to evolve, encompassing such tasks as the |
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promotion of recreational water safety and the apprehension of |
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criminals involved in a range of illegal activities in addition |
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to wildlife law violations; and |
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WHEREAS, In 1971, the legislature formally recognized as |
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peace officers all law enforcement officers within the Texas |
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Parks and Wildlife Department; the state is served today by some |
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550 game wardens, whose responsibilities have grown to include |
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participation in homeland security initiatives on the state's |
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border with Mexico; and |
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WHEREAS, For well over a century, game wardens have |
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enforced natural resource conservation laws in the Lone Star |
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State, and their vital contributions have earned the deep |
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appreciation of all Texans; now, therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 86th |
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Legislature, hereby recognize February 19, 2019, as Texas Game |
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Warden Day at the State Capitol and honor these outstanding |
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professionals as they commemorate 124 years of public service. |
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Flores |
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________________________________ |
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President of the Senate |
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I hereby certify that the |
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above Resolution was adopted by |
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the Senate on February 19, 2019. |
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________________________________ |
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Secretary of the Senate |
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________________________________ |
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Member, Texas Senate |