SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 110
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 Saint 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 Senate of the State of Texas, 82nd
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.
Hinojosa
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President of the Senate
I hereby certify that the
above Resolution was adopted by
the Senate on February 9, 2011.
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Secretary of the Senate
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Member, Texas Senate