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SENATE RESOLUTION
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WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas is pleased to |
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celebrate March 7, 2023, as Texas Bays and Estuaries Day at the |
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State Capitol; and |
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WHEREAS, Home to almost seven million people and |
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comprising 18 counties, the Texas coast is treasured by countless |
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Texans; the coastline spans over 3,000 miles of bay shorelines |
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and includes coastal prairies, saltmarsh wetlands, beaches, |
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dunes, estuaries, and other ecosystems that are crucial to the |
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physical, recreational, and economic landscape of the Lone Star |
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State; and |
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WHEREAS, The eight major bay systems in Texas, which are |
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Sabine Lake, Galveston Bay, Matagorda Bay, San Antonio Bay, |
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Aransas Bay, Corpus Christi Bay, Upper Laguna Madre, and Lower |
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Laguna Madre, connect inflows from inland streams and rivers with |
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oceanic tidal waters from the Gulf of Mexico, creating estuaries |
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made of freshwater mixed with saltwater; and |
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WHEREAS, The state's bays and estuaries are home to |
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numerous species of fish and other wildlife, and those waters act |
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as safe havens for endangered species and habitats under the |
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Coastal Zone Management Act; noted for its picturesque beauty, |
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the coast's diverse natural environments provide outstanding |
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opportunities for nature enthusiasts and preservationists from |
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all over the world; and |
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WHEREAS, Ranching, farming, fishing, and petroleum remain |
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important economic resources on the Texas coast; the bays and |
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estuaries help sustain waterborne commerce, energy and chemical |
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industries, military operations, commercial fishing, and |
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recreational activities and tourism, all of which contribute |
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significantly to the economy of the State of Texas; and |
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WHEREAS, The bays and estuaries of the Texas coastline |
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offer tremendous resources for the well-being and health of the |
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state's citizens and wildlife; the ecosystems protect |
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communities on the coast from storms and floods, provide |
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shoreline stabilization and erosion prevention, present |
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countless opportunities for economic growth, and offer priceless |
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scenic beauty for every Texan to enjoy; now, therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 88th |
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Legislature, hereby recognize March 7, 2023, as Texas Bays and |
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Estuaries Day and commend all who work to protect and preserve |
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the bays and estuaries of the Texas coast; and, be it further |
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RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared in |
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honor of this special occasion. |