H.R. No. 297

	R E S O L U T I O N
	WHEREAS, Port Freeport is celebrating the 100th anniversary
	of its founding in 2025; and
	WHEREAS, The port traces its history to the early 1820s, when
	Stephen F. Austin first recognized the potential of the Brazos
	River as a deep-water port and selected the area for his own colony;
	over the years, the region became a hub for economic activity, and
	following a recommendation from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers,
	the Brazoria County Commissioners Court held an election to
	establish the Brazos River Harbor Navigation District, to divert
	the Brazos River and construct a bridge over the Diversion Channel;
	the district was officially established in December 1925, and the
	Diversion Channel was completed four years later; the first public
	dock facilities were constructed in 1936; and
	WHEREAS, Following the passage of Texas House Bill 542 in
	2007, the Brazos River Harbor Navigation District was renamed Port
	Freeport; since its inception, the port has grown to become a
	strategic gateway for international trade, ranking among the top
	ports in the United States for foreign waterborne export tonnage;
	in addition, the port is one of the largest petrochemical and energy
	ports in the nation and encompasses facilities for top leaders in
	the chemical, crude oil, gases, agriculture, and automobile
	industries; and
	WHEREAS, Port Freeport has significantly contributed to the
	state and national economy, generating an annual economic impact of
	$157.3 billion and sustaining more than 266,000 jobs nationwide;
	the port has driven economic growth through infrastructure
	investments such as the Freeport Harbor Channel Improvement
	Project, which is scheduled for completion in 2025; the $295
	million project includes the widening and deepening of the Freeport
	Harbor Channel to depths ranging from 51 to 56 feet, making it the
	deepest port in Texas; moreover, in September 2024, the Port
	Freeport Commission voted to adopt a zero-tax rate, enabling the
	port to operate as a self-reliant entity with no tax assessment; and
	WHEREAS, Over the past century, Port Freeport has played an
	important role in the economic vitality of the State of Texas,
	demonstrating a steadfast commitment to sustainability,
	innovation, and operational excellence, and it is indeed fitting to
	join the people of Brazoria County in celebrating this important
	milestone in the port's rich history; now, therefore, be it
	RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 89th Texas
	Legislature hereby commemorate the 100th anniversary of Port
	Freeport and extend to all those affiliated with the port sincere
	best wishes for continued success; and, be it further
	RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
	prepared for Port Freeport as an expression of high regard by the
	Texas House of Representatives.
	Vasut
	Burrows Guerra Morales Shaw
	Alders Guillen Morgan
	Allen Harless Muñoz
	Anchía Harris Noble
	Ashby Harris Davila Olcott
	Barry Harrison Oliverson
	Bell of Kaufman Hayes Ordaz
	Bell of Montgomery Hefner Orr
	Bernal Hernandez Patterson
	Bhojani Hickland Paul
	Bonnen Hinojosa Perez of El Paso
	Bowers Holt Perez of Harris
	Bryant Hopper Phelan
	Buckley Howard Pierson
	Bucy Hull Plesa
	Bumgarner Hunter Raymond
	Button Isaac Reynolds
	Cain Johnson Richardson
	Campos Jones of Dallas Rodríguez Ramos
	Canales Jones of Harris Romero
	Capriglione Kerwin Rose
	Cole King Rosenthal
	Collier Kitzman Schatzline
	Cook LaHood Schofield
	Cortez Lalani Schoolcraft
	Craddick Lambert Shaheen
	Cunningham Landgraf Shofner
	Curry Leach Simmons
	Darby Leo Wilson Slawson
	A. Davis of Dallas Little Smithee
	Y. Davis of Dallas Longoria Spiller
	Dean Lopez of Bexar Swanson
	DeAyala Lopez of Cameron Talarico
	Dorazio Louderback Tepper
	Dutton Lowe Thompson
	Dyson Lozano Tinderholt
	Fairly Lujan Toth
	Flores Luther Troxclair
	Frank Manuel Turner
	Gámez Martinez VanDeaver
	Garcia of Bexar Martinez Fischer Vasut
	Garcia of Dallas McLaughlin Villalobos
	Garcia Hernandez McQueeney Virdell
	Gates Metcalf Vo
	Gerdes Meyer Walle
	Geren Meza Ward Johnson
	Gervin-Hawkins Money Wharton
	González of Dallas Moody Wilson
	González of El Paso Morales of Harris Wu
	Goodwin Morales of Maverick Zwiener
	______________________________
	Speaker of the House
	I certify that H.R. No. 297 was adopted by the House on February
	25, 2025, by a non-record vote.
	______________________________
	Chief Clerk of the House