Texas 2019 - 86th Regular

Texas Senate Bill SCR2 Compare Versions

Version 1 (Old)

Version 2 (New)

Old	New		Differences
1		-	S.C.R. No. 2
	1	+	By: Flores S.C.R. No. 2
	2	+	(Cyrier, Johnson of Harris)
2	3
3	4
4	5		SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
5	6		WHEREAS, For more than 120 years, the enforcement officers of
6	7		the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department and its predecessors have
7	8		patrolled the rivers, lakes, and coast of the Lone Star State,
8	9		playing a central role in safeguarding the public waters; and
9	10		WHEREAS, In 1895, the 24th Texas Legislature created the
10	11		office of Fish and Oyster Commissioner, and in 1899, the Fish and
11	12		Oyster Commission was given jurisdiction over all public waters,
12	13		including freshwater streams, lakes, and ponds; the agency
13	14		underwent several name changes over the years, becoming the Game,
14	15		Fish, and Oyster Commissioner in 1907, the Game, Fish, and Oyster
15	16		Commission in 1929, and the Game and Fish Commission in 1951, and
16	17		since 1963, it has been known as the Texas Parks and Wildlife
17	18		Department; and
18	19		WHEREAS, In 1965, the professionals now known as Texas game
19	20		wardens were tasked with promoting and enforcing water safety for
20	21		persons and property in all recreational waters of the state; since
21	22		1971, game wardens have been formally recognized as Texas peace
22	23		officers, and in 1997, the 75th Texas Legislature enacted House
23	24		Bill 966, which required all game wardens to be certified as marine
24	25		safety enforcement officers; in 2011, during the 82nd Legislative
25	26		Session, game wardens were designated as the primary officers
26	27		responsible for enforcing the provisions of the state's Water
27	28		Safety Act; and
28	29		WHEREAS, Today, game wardens patrol the public waters of
29	30		Texas to enforce hunting and fishing regulations and to promote
30	31		water safety; they have expanded their ranks from six officers in
31	32		1919 to more than 500, and Texas Parks and Wildlife Department's
32	33		fleet has grown to include more than 590 vessels, including two
33	34		65-foot patrol boats in the Gulf of Mexico and 26 SAFE boats for use
34	35		along the Gulf Coast; in 2013, Texas game wardens were accredited by
35	36		the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators for
36	37		their adherence to the United States Coast Guard's national
37	38		standards for training, qualifications, and credentialing; and
38	39		WHEREAS, In addition, Texas game wardens play a crucial role
39	40		in homeland security and emergency management, including search,
40	41		rescue, and recovery efforts; in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina
41	42		in 2005, they were the first out-of-state peace officers to be
42	43		deployed to New Orleans, where they were directly involved in the
43	44		rescue of 4,940 people from houses, apartments, and hospitals, and
44	45		during Hurricane Harvey, they rescued more than 12,000 Texans from
45	46		the storm's floodwaters; in 2014, they took part in Operation
46	47		Strong Safety, a homeland security initiative along the
47	48		Texas-Mexico border; and
48	49		WHEREAS, The dedicated men and women who safeguard the public
49	50		waters of Texas for the use and enjoyment of present and future
50	51		generations truly deserve to be known as our "Lone Star Navy," and
51	52		these individuals indeed merit recognition for their vital
52	53		contributions; now, therefore, be it
53	54		RESOLVED, That the 86th Legislature of the State of Texas
54	55		hereby recognize the game wardens of the Texas Parks and Wildlife
55	56		Department as the "Lone Star Navy" and commend them for their
56	57		outstanding work as maritime safety enforcement officers; and, be
57	58		it further
58	59		RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
59	60		prepared for the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department as an
60	61		expression of high regard by the Texas House of Representatives and
61	62		Senate.
62		-	______________________________ ______________________________
63		-	President of the Senate Speaker of the House
64		-	______________________________ ______________________________
65		-	President of the Senate Speaker of the House
66		-	I hereby certify that S.C.R. No. 2 was adopted by the Senate
67		-	on April 26, 2019, by the following vote: Yeas 30, Nays 0.
68		-	______________________________
69		-	Secretary of the Senate
70		-	I hereby certify that S.C.R. No. 2 was adopted by the House
71		-	on May 14, 2019, by the following vote: Yeas 136, Nays 0,
72		-	three present not voting.
73		-	______________________________
74		-	Chief Clerk of the House
75		-	Approved:
76		-	______________________________
77		-	Date
78		-	______________________________
79		-	Governor