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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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the region became a hub for economic activity, and following a |
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recommendation from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the Brazoria |
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County Commissioners Court held an election to establish the Brazos |
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River Harbor Navigation District, divert the Brazos River, and |
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construct a bridge over the Diversion Channel; the district was |
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officially established in December 1925, and the Diversion Channel |
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was completed four years later; the first public dock facilities |
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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, and it currently ranks |
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among the top ports in the United States for foreign waterborne |
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export tonnage and chemicals; in addition, the port is one of the |
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largest petrochemical and energy ports in the nation, and it |
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encompasses facilities for top leaders in the chemical, aviation, |
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agriculture, and automobile 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 to be completed 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, which would |
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make it the deepest port in Texas; moreover, in September 2024, the |
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Port Freeport Commission voted to adopt a zero-tax rate, enabling |
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the port to operate as a self-reliant entity with no tax assessment; |
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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 and |
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demonstrated a steadfast commitment to sustainability, innovation, |
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and operational excellence, and it is indeed fitting to join the |
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people of Brazoria County in celebrating this important milestone |
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in the port's rich history; now, therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the Senate of the 89th Texas Legislature |
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hereby commemorate the 100th anniversary of Port Freeport and |
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extend to all those affiliated with the port sincere best wishes for |
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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 Senate. |