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CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
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WHEREAS, The grasslands of the Great Plains are an iconic |
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part of the American landscape, evoking the spirit of the sweeping |
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western frontier, and the Lyndon B. Johnson National Grassland and |
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the adjacent city of Alvord provide access to a portion of that |
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majestic landscape in North Texas; and |
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WHEREAS, A vital ecosystem, the grasslands provide a wealth |
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of ecological benefits, including flood prevention, aquifer |
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recharge, erosion control, soil fertilization, and carbon storage, |
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in addition to serving as habitat for a variety of wildlife; despite |
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their value, grasslands have historically been underappreciated, |
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and after decades of agricultural and industrial development, less |
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than 40 percent of the 550 million acres of grasslands that once |
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existed in North America remain intact; and |
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WHEREAS, Texas is fortunate to be home to the Lyndon |
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B. Johnson National Grassland, which encompasses over 20,000 acres |
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in Wise and Montague Counties; the area was established as part of a |
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national initiative in the 1930s to convert sub-marginal farmland |
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into public areas, and it was named in honor of former President |
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Lyndon B. Johnson in 1974; the preserve offers a range of |
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opportunities for outdoor activities, including horseback riding, |
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hiking, camping, and birdwatching; and |
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WHEREAS, The city of Alvord, in northern Wise County, serves |
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as a gateway to the LBJ National Grassland; the community is a short |
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drive from the TADRA Point Trailhead, the main entry to the 75-mile |
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LBJ Multiuse Trail System; this central junction connects all five |
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trails that are part of the network, guiding equestrians, hikers, |
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and cyclists across the breadth of the grassland; and |
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WHEREAS, More than just open spaces, the grasslands of Texas |
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offer significant environmental and recreational benefits, |
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understated beauty, and a living link to our shared heritage, and |
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Alvord's integral role in allowing visitors to enjoy the Lyndon B. |
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Johnson National Grassland is indeed deserving of recognition; now, |
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therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the 89th Legislature of the State of Texas, |
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1st Called Session, hereby designate Alvord as the official Gateway |
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to the Grasslands; and, be it further |
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RESOLVED, That, in accordance with the provisions of |
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Section 391.003(e), Government Code, this designation remain in |
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effect until the 10th anniversary of the date this resolution is |
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finally passed by the legislature. |