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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, National Safe Boating Week is being observed from |
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May 20 to 26, 2023; and |
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WHEREAS, Boating, including fishing, sailing, paddling, and |
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waterskiing, is an immensely popular recreational activity, and the |
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U.S. Coast Guard and its federal, state, and local partners |
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encourage all boaters to explore and enjoy America's beautiful |
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waters responsibly; and |
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WHEREAS, According to the National Safe Boating Council, |
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approximately 650 people die in boating-related accidents in the |
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United States each year, and 75 percent of those fatalities are |
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caused by drowning; the vast majority of accidents occur because of |
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human error or poor judgment and can be easily prevented through |
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basic safety practices, such as carrying emergency communications |
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equipment, participating in free boat safety checks, remaining |
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sober while navigating, and wearing life jackets; and |
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WHEREAS, Statistics have shown that nearly 83 percent of |
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those who drowned in boating mishaps were not wearing a life jacket; |
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although many boaters stow life jackets on board, there is rarely |
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enough time to properly employ one in the event of an accident; in |
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an effort to increase people's willingness to wear this essential |
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piece of safety equipment, modern life jackets have been designed |
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to be smaller, lighter, and more comfortable; and |
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WHEREAS, Boating accidents happen regardless of one's level |
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of experience, and wearing a life jacket is the most effective way |
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to prevent drowning for veteran and novice boaters alike; now, |
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therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 88th Texas |
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Legislature hereby recognize May 20 to 26, 2023, as National Safe |
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Boating Week and encourage Texans to practice safe boating habits |
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and to wear life jackets at all times while on the water. |