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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, Port Freeport is celebrating the 100th anniversary |
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of its founding in 2025; and |
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WHEREAS, The port traces its history to the early 1820s, when |
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Stephen F. Austin first recognized the potential of the Brazos |
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River as a deep-water port and selected the area for his own colony; |
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over the years, the region became a hub for economic activity, and |
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following a recommendation from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, |
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the Brazoria County Commissioners Court held an election to |
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establish the Brazos River Harbor Navigation District, to divert |
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the Brazos River and construct a bridge over the Diversion Channel; |
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the district was officially established in December 1925, and the |
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Diversion Channel was completed four years later; the first public |
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dock facilities were constructed in 1936; and |
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WHEREAS, Following the passage of Texas House Bill 542 in |
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2007, the Brazos River Harbor Navigation District was renamed Port |
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Freeport; since its inception, the port has grown to become a |
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strategic gateway for international trade, ranking among the top |
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ports in the United States for foreign waterborne export tonnage; |
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in addition, the port is one of the largest petrochemical and energy |
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ports in the nation and encompasses facilities for top leaders in |
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the chemical, crude oil, gases, agriculture, and automobile |
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industries; and |
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WHEREAS, Port Freeport has significantly contributed to the |
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state and national economy, generating an annual economic impact of |
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$157.3 billion and sustaining more than 266,000 jobs nationwide; |
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the port has driven economic growth through infrastructure |
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investments such as the Freeport Harbor Channel Improvement |
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Project, which is scheduled for completion in 2025; the $295 |
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million project includes the widening and deepening of the Freeport |
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Harbor Channel to depths ranging from 51 to 56 feet, making it the |
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deepest port in Texas; moreover, in September 2024, the Port |
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Freeport Commission voted to adopt a zero-tax rate, enabling the |
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port to operate as a self-reliant entity with no tax assessment; and |
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WHEREAS, Over the past century, Port Freeport has played an |
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important role in the economic vitality of the State of Texas, |
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demonstrating a steadfast commitment to sustainability, |
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innovation, and operational excellence, and it is indeed fitting to |
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join the people of Brazoria County in celebrating this important |
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milestone in the port's rich history; now, therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 89th Texas |
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Legislature hereby commemorate the 100th anniversary of Port |
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Freeport and extend to all those affiliated with the port sincere |
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best wishes for continued success; and, be it further |
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RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be |
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prepared for Port Freeport as an expression of high regard by the |
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Texas House of Representatives. |