85R8661 KSM-D
By: Phelan H.R. No. 652
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, Civic-minded residents of Beaumont, Orange, Port
Arthur, and other communities in Jefferson and Orange Counties are
visiting Austin March 5-7, 2017, to celebrate Golden Triangle Days
at the State Capitol; and
WHEREAS, A strategically important source of energy and
chemical manufactured products, the Golden Triangle refines about
13 percent of the nation's gasoline daily, including 60 percent of
its commercial jet fuel and the majority of its military jet fuel;
and
WHEREAS, The region is served by the Sabine Neches Waterway,
which ranks fourth in the United States for total tonnage and
supports a large percentage of the nation's petrochemical industry;
it is the country's top commercial military out-load port and the
first in crude oil imports, and on June 10, 2014, the federal
government authorized an improvement project that will deepen the
channel to 48 feet, enhancing the global competitiveness of this
key gateway; and
WHEREAS, The Golden Triangle is also linked to an extensive
rail and pipeline system; construction has been completed on a
pipeline from Oklahoma to Jefferson County, and with over $3
billion in announced new economic development projects and another
$20 billion under consideration, the region has become an
increasingly vital contributor to the economic prosperity of the
state; and
WHEREAS, The area's population has access to such notable
institutions of higher education as Lamar University, Lamar State
College-Orange, Lamar State College-Port Arthur, and the Lamar
Institute of Technology; moreover, a number of training programs
are available to ensure the preparedness of the workforce;
residents further benefit from unique cultural and environmental
sites, among them Shangri La Botanical Gardens and Nature Center,
Big Thicket National Preserve, and coastal habitats such as Sea Rim
State Park and the McFadden National Wildlife Refuge, which also
draw many tourists; and
WHEREAS, Public-spirited residents of Jefferson and Orange
Counties are working together to build a vibrant, prosperous future
for their region, and it is indeed fitting to honor their dedication
and commitment to the betterment of their communities and of the
Lone Star State; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 85th Texas
Legislature hereby recognize March 5-7, 2017, as Golden Triangle
Days at the State Capitol and extend to all those participating
sincere best wishes for a meaningful and memorable stay in Austin.