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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, Port Houston has served as an advocate and strategic |
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leader for the Houston Ship Channel for more than a century; and |
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WHEREAS, Established in 1914, Port Houston now owns and |
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operates eight public terminals along the 52-mile waterway, |
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including the area's largest break-bulk facility and two of the |
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most efficient container terminals in the country; and |
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WHEREAS, With more than 200 public and private facilities, |
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the ship channel complex is the nation's largest for waterborne |
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tonnage; the Houston Ship Channel handles more cargo than the Ports |
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of Los Angeles, Long Beach, and New York and New Jersey combined; |
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and |
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WHEREAS, Port Houston has handled a record amount of cargo |
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tonnage in the past year; representing over 20 percent of Texas' |
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GDP, this cargo generates over 1.35 million jobs and more than $339 |
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billion in economic activity in the state; and |
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WHEREAS, Guided by a seven-member board of port |
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commissioners, along with 13 executive staff members, Port Houston |
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works to advance the efficient flow of seaborne cargo on a global |
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scale; it ensures that the channel is properly dredged, and through |
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community initiatives and international partnerships, it adopts |
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innovative technologies and implements continual improvements in |
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productivity, reliability, and resiliency; while ensuring maximal |
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freight mobility, it also serves as a guardian of the channel |
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environment; and |
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WHEREAS, Port Houston is the principal advocate for the ship |
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channel, and its efforts have been vital in the rapid expansion of |
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the waterway in order to take full advantage of opportunities for |
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international trade; currently, it is in the process of widening |
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and deepening the channel, coordinating with strategic partners |
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throughout the region on a project requiring over $1 billion in |
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investment; Port Houston also strives to raise awareness of the |
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needs of 19 other Texas seaports, whose efforts are also crucial in |
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maintaining the status of preferred state for maritime commerce; |
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and |
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WHEREAS, Through its skilled and forward-looking stewardship |
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of the Houston Ship Channel, Port Houston plays an enormous role in |
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the continued prosperity of Texas and in the dominance of our energy |
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industry, and it is indeed a pleasure to welcome the port's |
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representatives to the State Capitol; now, therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the Senate of the 88th Texas Legislature |
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hereby honor Port Houston for its contributions to the Texas |
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economy and extend to the visiting delegation sincere best wishes |
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for the future; and, be it further |
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RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be |
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prepared for the group as an expression of high regard by the Texas |
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Senate. |