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CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
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WHEREAS, The Lone Star State is blessed with abundant |
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wildlife and natural resources, and for more than 125 years, Texas |
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game wardens have played a vital role in preserving and protecting |
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this rich legacy for all Texans; and |
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WHEREAS, The profession of Texas game warden has its roots in |
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the office of the Fish and Oyster Commissioner, which was created in |
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1895 by the 24th Texas Legislature; the first commissioner was I. P. |
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Kibbe, and he appointed several deputies, including William Henry |
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Sterling, one of the first conservation law enforcement officers in |
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the state; staff salaries--$150 a month for the commissioner and up |
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to $50 a month for the deputies--were funded by the sale of licenses |
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and permits; in 1899, the commission was given jurisdiction over |
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all public waters, including freshwater streams, lakes, and ponds, |
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and four years later the agency's duties were expanded to include |
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commercial shrimping; and |
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WHEREAS, Over the years, the name of the agency has changed |
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several times; it was designated the office of the Game, Fish, and |
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Oyster Commissioner in 1907, the Game, Fish, and Oyster Commission |
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in 1929, and the Game and Fish Commission in 1951; since 1963, the |
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agency has been known as the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, |
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and in 1965, the professionals now known as Texas game wardens were |
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further tasked with enforcing recreational safety on all waters of |
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the state; in 1971, the 62nd Texas Legislature formally recognized |
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TPWD game wardens as peace officers, granting them full authority |
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to preserve the peace within Texas; and |
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WHEREAS, The ranks of game wardens in Texas have grown over |
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the years, from six officers in 1919 to more than 550 today; active |
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and retired game wardens joined together in 1979 to found the Texas |
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Game Warden Association and again in 2000 to establish the Game |
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Warden Peace Officers Association, with both organizations working |
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to further the vitality and the heritage of the profession; and |
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WHEREAS, The dedicated men and women who serve as game |
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wardens in the Lone Star State work tirelessly to safeguard the rich |
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bounty of our natural resources and to maintain them for the use and |
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enjoyment of present and future generations, and their exemplary |
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service is deeply appreciated by their fellow Texans; 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 the third Tuesday in February as Texas Game Warden |
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Day; 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. |