SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 497
         WHEREAS, The City of South Padre Island is celebrating the
  50th anniversary of its founding in 2023; and
 
         WHEREAS, Situated at the southernmost tip of Padre Island
  in Cameron County, the City of South Padre Island is located in
  the vicinity of the Rancho de Santa Cruz de Buena Vista, settled
  in the early 19th century by the island's namesake, Padre José
  Ballí; it became a resort during the mid-19th century, and a
  ferry later began serving the island; in the 1920s, civic leaders
  tried to attract more tourists by building several seaside hotels
  on wooden piers; and
 
         WHEREAS, Development finally gained momentum following the
  completion of the Queen Isabella Causeway in 1954; nearly two
  decades later, dedicated citizens launched a campaign to
  incorporate; they filed an application with Cameron County Judge
  Ray Ramon in February 1973, and the election was conducted a
  month later; on April 10, the judge counted 128 out of 158 ballots
  in favor of incorporation; the board of aldermen held its first
  meeting that June; and
 
         WHEREAS, The community's population surpassed 300 by 1978
  and then more than tripled within a decade; growth proceeded
  apace as tourism flourished, and in 2009, the town became the
  City of South Padre Island with the adoption of a home rule
  charter; under its council-manager form of government, voters
  elect a city council composed of the mayor, five district
  members, and three at-large members; the council appoints the
  city manager; and
 
         WHEREAS, Tourism remains the major engine of the economy,
  with more than 9 million people annually drawn by the sandy
  beaches and subtropical landscape; city staff works with an
  extensive volunteer network of committees, task forces, boards,
  and commissions to preserve this lovely setting and support
  world-class conservation efforts, including the protection of
  the Kemp's Ridley sea turtle and an artificial reef; the South
  Padre Island Birding and Nature Center, located on a major
  migratory route, educates visitors about the more than 300 avian
  species in the area, as well as other native flora and fauna; and
 
         WHEREAS, Over the course of a half century, the City of
  South Padre Island has distinguished itself as a community
  characterized by natural beauty, livability, prosperity, and an
  active, engaged citizenry; now, therefore, be it
 
         RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 88th
  Legislature, hereby congratulate the City of South Padre Island
  on the 50th anniversary of its founding and extend to its
  residents sincere best wishes for the future; and, be it further
         RESOLVED, That an official copy of this Resolution be
  prepared for the city as an expression of high regard from the
  Texas Senate.
 
  LaMantia
   
   
   
    ________________________________ 
        President of the Senate
     
        I hereby certify that the
    above Resolution was adopted by
    the Senate on May 1, 2023.
   
   
   
    ________________________________ 
        Secretary of the Senate
   
   
   
    ________________________________ 
         Member, Texas Senate