H.R. No. 125
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, Proud residents of Port Aransas are gathering in
Austin to celebrate Port Aransas Day at the State Capitol on
February 9, 2011; and
WHEREAS, The town's location on Mustang Island was first
inhabited by the Karankawa Indians, and in the early 1800s, it was
frequented by the famed buccaneer Jean Lafitte; the natural passage
between the island and St. Joseph Island was originally named
Aranzazu and later became known as Aransas Pass; and
WHEREAS, In 1855, an English sheep and cattle rancher named
Robert A. Mercer built a cabin on Mustang Island at the site that
later became the town; Elihu Harrison Ropes started a project to dig
a channel across the island in 1890, and the community that grew
around the new post office was called Ropesville; in 1896, it was
renamed Tarpon to highlight the island's fine fishing, and in 1911,
the town was officially designated as Port Aransas; and
WHEREAS, Since World War II, the city has become one of the
most popular resort destinations on the Texas Gulf Coast; the
superb beaches of nearby Mustang Island State Park draw campers,
swimmers, and surfers from across the Lone Star State, and the
town's launching ramps and three lighted piers enable anglers to
catch a wide diversity of fish, including red snapper, shark, sand
trout, tuna, and bonito; and
WHEREAS, Port Aransas is also one of the top bird-watching
destinations in the nation, and the Leonabelle Turnbull Birding
Center, the Port Aransas Wetland Park, and other nature centers
afford fine opportunities to view local species such as herons and
roseate spoonbills as well as the annual migrations of
hummingbirds, flycatchers, and orioles; and
WHEREAS, The rich variety of sea life that resides along the
Gulf Coast can be appreciated at the aquariums at The University of
Texas Marine Science Institute; visitors also delight in the town's
many fine art galleries, shops, seafood restaurants, and hotels,
including the historic Tarpon Inn, which has hosted such famous
visitors as President Franklin Delano Roosevelt and movie star Hedy
Lamarr; and
WHEREAS, Blessed with natural beauty and a colorful history,
Port Aransas is one of the jewels of the Lone Star State, and its
citizens may indeed take great pride in their heritage and ongoing
achievements; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 82nd Texas
Legislature hereby recognize February 9, 2011, as Port Aransas Day
at the State Capitol and extend to the visiting delegation sincere
best wishes for a meaningful and memorable visit to Austin.
Hunter
______________________________
Speaker of the House
I certify that H.R. No. 125 was adopted by the House on
February 9, 2011, by a non-record vote.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House