87R21459 JGH-D
 
  By: Goldman H.R. No. 933
 
 
 
R E S O L U T I O N
         WHEREAS, The Fort Worth Zoo received well-deserved
  recognition when it was named the Best Zoo in North America by USA
  Today in July 2020; and
         WHEREAS, Each year, USA Today assembles a panel of industry
  experts to select the 20 zoos in North America that maintain the
  highest professional standards, and the newspaper then asks readers
  to vote for their favorite from the list; the Fort Worth Zoo claimed
  the No. 1 spot for the first time in 2020 and has finished in the top
  five on three previous occasions; and
         WHEREAS, Drawing one million visitors annually, the Fort
  Worth Zoo is renowned for being the home of many rare animals; it is
  the only zoo in Texas, and one of just seven in the nation, to house
  bonobos, and it is one of five locations in the world to include
  both black and greater one-horned African rhinoceroses; moreover,
  it hosts the most successful breeding colony of lesser flamingos in
  the world, and its residents include 68 endangered and threatened
  species, including the harpy eagle, the Storm's stork, and the
  Komodo dragon; among other accomplishments, the zoo has led the
  effort to save the Jamaican iguana, the most endangered lizard in
  the world; and
         WHEREAS, The Fort Worth Zoo benefits from the efforts of a
  dedicated staff that includes 185 full-time members, 400 part-time
  seasonal workers, and as many as 200 seasonal volunteers; it is
  accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, the Zoological
  Association of America, and American Humane; and
         WHEREAS, The Fort Worth Zoo has been delighting and educating
  visitors about the natural world for more than a century, and it is
  truly deserving of this special honor; now, therefore, be it
         RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 87th Texas
  Legislature hereby congratulate the Fort Worth Zoo for being named
  the Best Zoo in North America by USA Today and extend to the zoo's
  staff sincere best wishes for continued success; and, be it further
         RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
  prepared for the zoo as an expression of high regard by the Texas
  House of Representatives.