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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, Proud residents of South Padre Island are |
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celebrating the 50th anniversary of their city's incorporation in |
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2023, and a delegation from the community is visiting the State |
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Capitol to commemorate this occasion on May 24; and |
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WHEREAS, South Padre Island is located on the southernmost |
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end of Padre Island, a barrier island that spans 113 miles along the |
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southern coast of Texas; it was named after Padre José Nicolás |
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Ballí, who was awarded the island's first known land grant; in the |
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mid-19th century, the southern section of the island began seeing |
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use as a resort, and during the 1920s, several seaside hotels were |
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built in an effort to attract more tourists; and |
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WHEREAS, In 1954, the completion of the Queen Isabella |
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Causeway, which connects South Padre Island to Port Isabel on the |
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mainland, ushered in a new era of development for the city; this led |
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local citizens to organize a campaign to incorporate, which |
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succeeded with a majority vote on April 10, 1973; and |
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WHEREAS, South Padre Island's white sand beaches and |
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subtropical climate make it one of the state's premier tourist |
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destinations; the city attracts more than nine million vacationers |
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each year and offers abundant opportunities for boating, fishing, |
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parasailing, hiking, horseback riding, and other outdoor |
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activities; it is also home to the South Padre Island Birding and |
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Nature Center, where visitors can learn about the diverse species |
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of birds, animals, and plants that can be found in the area; and |
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WHEREAS, The City of South Padre Island benefits from the |
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contributions of a multitude of citizens, volunteers, elected |
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officials, and public servants, who work in myriad ways to preserve |
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and enhance their community and way of life; this past April, |
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residents came together for a special 50th anniversary event, where |
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they affirmed their commitment to honoring the past, celebrating |
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the present, and embracing the future; and |
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WHEREAS, The people of South Padre Island share an |
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appreciation for the natural beauty, livability, and strong |
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community spirit that sets their city apart from others, and it is |
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indeed a pleasure to join them in marking this special milestone in |
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their history; now, therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 88th Texas |
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Legislature hereby commemorate the 50th anniversary of the |
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incorporation of South Padre Island and extend a warm welcome to the |
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visiting delegation. |