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SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 451
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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, |
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DarkSky Texas encourages citizens and public officials to reduce |
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light pollution in urbanized areas and keep rural night skies |
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naturally dark; the group's volunteers raise awareness of the |
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ways better lighting practices can restore our view of the |
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nighttime sky, conserve energy, and improve the well-being of |
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people and wildlife; and |
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WHEREAS, DarkSky Texas educates residents about the |
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effects of outdoor lighting shining up toward the sky or onto |
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properties where it is not wanted; it addresses the economic cost |
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of excess and poorly aimed illumination, and it advocates for the |
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elimination of glare and the use of warm-hued lighting properly |
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shielded in order to enhance visibility by directing |
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illumination only where it is needed; moreover, it stresses the |
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negative impact of outdoor lighting that interferes with the |
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scientific inquiry of 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 |
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in agriculture as pollinators and consumers of harmful insects; |
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the group is dedicated to the advancement of knowledge regarding |
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the importance of natural darkness for both flora and fauna, as |
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well as 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 |
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Center near Fort Davis; the organization fosters appreciation |
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for the many communities that have begun to feature the beauty of |
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their clear nighttime views among their recreational assets; |
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currently, more than 20 sites in the state are designated |
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International Dark Sky 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 |
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a steadfast commitment to preserving this magnificent heritage; |
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now, therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 89th |
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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 |
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from the Texas Senate. |
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Blanco |
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________________________________ |
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President of the Senate |
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I hereby certify that the |
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above Resolution was adopted by |
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the Senate on April 28, 2025. |
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________________________________ |
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Secretary of the Senate |
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________________________________ |
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Member, Texas Senate |