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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, On January 20, 2025, President Donald J. Trump |
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signed an executive order to rename the Gulf of Mexico as the Gulf |
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of America; and |
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WHEREAS, The president's action reflects the importance of |
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the gulf to the United States, both historically and in the present |
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day; the U.S. coastline along this strategic body of water spans |
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more than 1,700 miles and encompasses nearly 160 million acres; a |
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conduit for transportation and trade since the colonial era, the |
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waters of the gulf brought the first European explorers to what |
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would later become Texas; with the passing decades, it was vital to |
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the westward expansion of the U.S. and nurtured the country's |
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prosperity throughout the 1800s and beyond; today, the gulf remains |
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integral to global commerce, and it has provided approximately 14 |
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percent of our nation's crude oil production as well as an abundance |
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of natural gas; and |
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WHEREAS, Widely recognized for its highly productive |
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fisheries, the Gulf of America is home to ample populations of |
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snapper, shrimp, grouper, stone crab, and other species; the |
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region's commercial fishing landings rank second nationally and |
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contribute millions of dollars to local economies, including those |
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of many coastal communities in the Lone Star State; in addition, the |
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gulf plays a vital role in the multibillion dollar U.S. maritime |
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industry, and it is a popular destination for tourism and |
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recreation; and |
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WHEREAS, With the renaming of the Gulf of America, President |
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Trump has helped to focus public attention on this vital national |
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resource, and it is indeed appropriate to set aside a day to |
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acknowledge the gulf's importance to the State of Texas and the |
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United States of America; and |
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WHEREAS, A holiday that honors the American flag and pays |
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tribute to the history and values of our nation through parades and |
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other patriotic events, Flag Day 2025 is a fitting occasion for |
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Texans to celebrate the newly renamed Gulf of America; 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 June 14, 2025, as Gulf of America Day. |