81R23933 JGH-D
By: Huffman S.C.R. No. 64
CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, Residents of Sabine Pass are gathering on May 3,
2009, to celebrate the 170th anniversary of the founding of their
community; and
WHEREAS, First settled in the early 1830s, the town of Sabine
City was officially established on January 19, 1839, by a charter
signed by General Sam Houston; the Sabine City Company began to
advertise lots in the town on May 1, 1839, and in 1860, the city
changed its name to Sabine Pass; and
WHEREAS, In the 1800s, Sabine Pass was a major port on the
Gulf of Mexico, an important shipping point for cattle and cotton;
during the Civil War, the port was defended by Forts Sabine and
Griffin, and the town was the site of the Battle of Sabine Pass on
September 8, 1863, when Confederate gunners drove off an attack by
four Union gunboats; and
WHEREAS, Sabine Pass is the birthplace of Pattillo Higgins,
the entrepreneur who helped initiate the Spindletop oil strike in
the early 1900s; the town is also the birthplace of J. P.
Richardson, the rock 'n' roll star known as the Big Bopper; and
WHEREAS, Since 1978, the community has been part of Port
Arthur; its economy continues to depend on the oil industry,
commercial fishing, and marine repair; and
WHEREAS, Throughout the years, Sabine Pass has been hit hard
by hurricanes; an 1886 storm killed 86 people and almost destroyed
the town, and Hurricanes Rita, Humberto, Gustav, and Ike are
responsible for more recent damage; after each devastating event,
however, the people of Sabine Pass have come together to rebuild and
restore the vitality of their community; and
WHEREAS, The hardy spirit of Sabine Pass remains strong, and
its citizens may indeed take pride in their rich history as they
celebrate a notable milestone; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the 81st Legislature of the State of Texas
hereby commemorate the 170th anniversary of the founding of Sabine
Pass and extend to its residents sincere best wishes for a
meaningful and memorable event; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
prepared for the community of Sabine Pass as an expression of high
regard by the Texas Senate and House of Representatives.