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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, DarkSky Texas works to ensure the stars at night |
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glow "big and bright" all across our state; and |
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WHEREAS, The Texas chapter of DarkSky International, DarkSky |
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Texas encourages citizens and public officials to reduce light |
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pollution in urbanized areas and keep rural night skies naturally |
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dark; the group's volunteers raise awareness of the ways better |
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lighting practices can restore our view of the nighttime sky, |
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conserve energy, and improve the well-being of people and wildlife; |
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and |
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WHEREAS, DarkSky Texas educates residents about the effects |
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of outdoor lighting shining up toward the sky or onto properties |
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where it is not wanted; it addresses the economic cost of excess and |
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poorly aimed illumination, and it advocates for the elimination of |
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glare and the use of warm-hued lighting properly shielded in order |
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to enhance visibility by directing illumination only where it is |
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needed; moreover, it stresses the negative impact of outdoor |
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lighting that interferes with the scientific inquiry of |
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astronomers; and |
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WHEREAS, Through its efforts, DarkSky Texas supports |
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reduction of deaths among migrating birds, who play a vital role in |
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agriculture as pollinators and consumers of harmful insects; the |
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group is dedicated to the advancement of knowledge regarding the |
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importance of natural darkness for both flora and fauna, as well as |
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for the circadian rhythms of humans; and |
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WHEREAS, DarkSky Texas also promotes the opportunities |
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afforded by dark sky tourism, exemplified by the popular weekly |
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star parties conducted by the McDonald Observatory Visitors Center |
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near Fort Davis; the organization fosters appreciation for the many |
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communities that have begun to feature the beauty of their clear |
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nighttime views among their recreational assets; currently, more |
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than 20 sites in the state are designated International Dark Sky |
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Places; and |
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WHEREAS, The Lone Star State takes great pride in the |
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brilliance of its night skies, and DarkSky Texas has demonstrated a |
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steadfast commitment to preserving this magnificent heritage; now, |
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therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 89th Texas |
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Legislature hereby recognize April 25, 2025, as Dark Sky Day and |
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commend DarkSky Texas for its important work; and, be it further |
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RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be |
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prepared for the organization as an expression of high regard by the |
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Texas House of Representatives. |