H.R. No. 1247
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 March
24, 2015; 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 it 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 draw campers, swimmers, and surfers from across the
Lone Star State, and the town's launching ramps, lighted piers, and
jetties 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 many preserved venues 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 found along the Gulf
Coast can be appreciated at The University of Texas Marine Science
Institute; visitors also delight in the town's many fine art
galleries, shops, seafood restaurants, and lodging accommodations,
including the historic Tarpon Inn, which displays tarpon scales
signed by 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 84th Texas
Legislature hereby recognize March 24, 2015, as Port Aransas Day at
the State Capitol and extend to the visiting delegation sincere
best wishes for an enjoyable and informative visit to Austin.
Hunter
______________________________
Speaker of the House
I certify that H.R. No. 1247 was adopted by the House on March
24, 2015, by a non-record vote.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House