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| 3 | 4 | | |
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| 4 | 5 | | R E S O L U T I O N |
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| 5 | 6 | | WHEREAS, Many retired Texas game wardens and their spouses |
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| 6 | 7 | | are visiting Austin on May 20, 2015, to celebrate Retired Texas Game |
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| 7 | 8 | | Warden Day at the State Capitol and to commemorate the 120 years of |
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| 8 | 9 | | dedicated service that game wardens have provided to the Lone Star |
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| 9 | 10 | | State; and |
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| 10 | 11 | | WHEREAS, Since 1895, when the office of Fish and Oyster |
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| 11 | 12 | | Commissioner was created by the 24th Texas Legislature, game |
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| 12 | 13 | | wardens have played an essential role in wildlife conservation; the |
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| 13 | 14 | | Fish and Oyster Commission was given jurisdiction in 1899 over all |
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| 14 | 15 | | public waters, including freshwater streams, lakes, and ponds, and |
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| 15 | 16 | | its purview was soon extended to shrimping and hunting; the name of |
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| 16 | 17 | | the agency later became the Game, Fish, and Oyster Commission, and |
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| 17 | 18 | | it changed again several times to reflect the expansion of its |
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| 18 | 19 | | mission until, in 1963, it merged with the State Parks Board to form |
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| 19 | 20 | | the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department; and |
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| 20 | 21 | | WHEREAS, In the early years, there were just six wardens, but |
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| 21 | 22 | | their numbers grew as their duties continued to evolve, |
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| 22 | 23 | | encompassing such tasks as the promotion of recreational water |
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| 23 | 24 | | safety and the apprehension of criminals involved in a range of |
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| 24 | 25 | | illegal activities in addition to wildlife law violations; Texas |
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| 25 | 26 | | A&M University established the Texas Game Warden Academy in 1946, |
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| 26 | 27 | | and 14 cadets attended that first formal game warden training; in |
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| 27 | 28 | | 1971, the legislature formally recognized as peace officers all law |
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| 28 | 29 | | enforcement officers within the TPWD; the state is presently served |
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| 29 | 30 | | by some 530 game wardens, whose responsibilities have grown to |
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| 30 | 31 | | include participation in homeland security initiatives; and |
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| 31 | 32 | | WHEREAS, Today there are approximately 340 retired Texas game |
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| 32 | 33 | | wardens living with their families in the Lone Star State, and their |
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| 33 | 34 | | vital contributions to the betterment of this state have earned |
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| 34 | 35 | | them the deep appreciation of all Texans; now, therefore, be it |
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| 35 | 36 | | RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 84th Texas |
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| 36 | 37 | | Legislature hereby recognize May 20, 2015, as Retired Texas Game |
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| 37 | 38 | | Warden Day at the State Capitol and commemorate 120 years of public |
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| 38 | 39 | | service by Texas game wardens. |
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