Texas 2017 - 85th Regular

Texas Senate Bill SR243 Compare Versions

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Old	New	Differences
1	1	SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 243
2	2	WHEREAS, The Texas State Aquarium in Corpus Christi is an
3	3	outstanding institution that is committed to connecting people
4	4	with nature and to promoting conservation of the Gulf of Mexico;
5	5	and
6	6	WHEREAS, After two decades of planning and fund-raising,
7	7	the Texas State Aquarium first opened the doors to its original
8	8	Gulf of Mexico exhibit in 1990; over the years, many new
9	9	permanent and special exhibits have been introduced that allow
10	10	spectators to see a live bald eagle, to touch and feed stingrays,
11	11	to watch Atlantic bottlenose dolphins play, and to get an
12	12	underwater view of the habitat formed around an oil platform in
13	13	the gulf; the aquarium also features a splash park, an artificial
14	14	fossil dig site for uncovering casts of prehistoric animal bones,
15	15	and the Hawn Wild Flight Theater, with presentations featuring
16	16	trained birds; in 2014, it announced an expansion project that
17	17	will more than double the size of the facilities; and
18	18	WHEREAS, In addition to entertaining and delighting visitors,
19	19	this private, not-for-profit institution gives back to the
20	20	community through its education and conservation programs; field
21	21	trips, summer camps, and distance learning empower Texans of all
22	22	ages to discover more about nature and marine wildlife, while the
23	23	Second Chances Wildlife Rehabilitation Program provides care for
24	24	ill or injured shorebirds, birds of prey, marine mammals, and sea
25	25	turtles and returns them to their natural habitats whenever
26	26	possible; furthermore, the aquarium coordinates beach cleanups
27	27	three times a year, fosters awareness of Texas watersheds with
28	28	its Keepers of the Coast program, and awards grants through its
29	29	Wildlife Care, Conservation, and Research Fund; and
30	30	WHEREAS, The Texas State Aquarium has been honored with
31	31	numerous accolades, including the Outstanding Public-Private
32	32	Partnership Award from Mutual of America, the Munson Aquatic
33	33	Conservation Exhibitry Award from the American Zoo and Aquarium
34	34	Association, and the Conservation and Environmental Stewardship
35	35	Award for Public Awareness from the Coastal Bend Bays Foundation;
36	36	in 2014, it became one of only six aquariums in the nation to earn
37	37	a prestigious four-star rating from Charity Navigator; and
38	38	WHEREAS, By encouraging Texans to appreciate the diversity
39	39	and vulnerability of marine life, the aquarium is making a
40	40	significant contribution to the Lone Star State, and the efforts
41	41	and achievements of all involved in this worthy endeavor indeed
42	42	merit special commendation; now, therefore, be it
43	43	RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 85th
44	44	Legislature, hereby recognize February 21, 2017, as Texas State
45	45	Aquarium Day and extend to all those associated with the aquarium
46	46	sincere best wishes for continued success; and, be it further
47	47	RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared for
48	48	the Texas State Aquarium as an expression of high regard from the
49	49	Texas Senate.
50	50	Hinojosa
51	51	________________________________
52	52	President of the Senate
53	53	I hereby certify that the
54	54	above Resolution was adopted by
55	55	the Senate on February 21, 2017.
56	56	________________________________
57	57	Secretary of the Senate
58	58	________________________________
59	59	Member, Texas Senate