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CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
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WHEREAS, Every year, countless Texans flock to beaches to |
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enjoy the sunshine, sand, and waves, but it is important for |
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visitors to be aware of the potential dangers that can arise from |
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swimming in the ocean; and |
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WHEREAS, Rip currents are powerful, narrow channels of |
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fast-moving water that flow outward to sea; these currents have an |
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average speed of around one to two feet per second, but some can be |
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as fast as eight feet per second; many swimmers are caught off guard |
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by the sensation of being pulled out to sea and react by attempting |
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to swim directly to shore, putting themselves at risk of exhaustion |
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and drowning; and |
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WHEREAS, Signs that a rip current may be present include a |
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break in the wave pattern, a visible channel of choppy, churning |
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water, a line of foam or debris moving seaward, and a difference in |
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water color; if a swimmer is caught in a rip current, he or she |
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should swim parallel to, rather than against the force of the |
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current, until it is weak enough that the swimmer can head to shore; |
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if he or she is unable to escape that way, it is best to float or |
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tread water and signal for help; it is imperative that swimmers |
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remain calm and try to conserve their energy; and |
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WHEREAS, Beach visitors should be mindful of the flag warning |
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system, which is used to signal hazardous conditions in the water, |
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such as strong currents, high bacteria levels, and jellyfish or |
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other marine life; visitors can also receive daily updates on the |
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beach conditions from the National Weather Service; and |
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WHEREAS, Recognizing and being prepared for rip currents and |
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other hazards can save lives, and it is important that Texans take |
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the time to educate themselves about these dangers to ensure that |
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they have a safe, healthy, and enjoyable beach vacation; now, |
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therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the 87th Legislature of the State of Texas |
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hereby designate April as Beach Safety and Rip Current Awareness |
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Month; and, be it further |
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RESOLVED, That, in accordance with the provisions of Section |
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391.004(d), Government Code, this designation remain in effect |
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until the 10th anniversary of the date this resolution is finally |
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passed by the legislature. |