By: Zaffirini S.C.R. No. 63
SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, For thousands of years, the mermaid has been one of
the most striking symbols of humanity's connection with the natural
world, and over the past century, this legendary figure has come to
represent the city of San Marcos and its special relationship to the
water resources of Central Texas; and
WHEREAS, The story of the mermaid in San Marcos begins with
the abundant springs that every day release 100 million gallons of
freshwater from the Edwards Aquifer into the San Marcos River;
considered a sacred place by Native Americans, and regarded as the
creation site of the Coahuiltecans, the springs have drawn people
to their banks for more than 11,500 years, making this area what is
thought to be one of the oldest continually inhabited sites in North
America; and
WHEREAS, In 1845, Edward Burleson, a former vice president of
the Republic of Texas, dammed the headwaters of the San Marcos
River, thereby creating Spring Lake; over the ensuing years, the
water from the lake powered gristmills, sawmills, an ice factory,
and an electric light works; the San Marcos River also constituted
an important water stop along the Chisholm Trail; and
WHEREAS, A. B. Rogers bought Edward Burleson's homestead in
the 1920s and built a resort hotel on the shore of the lake; he later
began offering rides in glass-bottomed boats that allowed visitors
to see through the crystal water to the bubbling springs beneath;
his son Paul, who succeeded him, established the Aquarena Springs
amusement park on the property and in 1950 built an underwater
theater, where young women known as "aquamaids" staged exhibitions
of synchronized swimming and underwater ballet; at the peak of its
popularity, the park drew up to 350,000 visitors every year and was
featured in Life magazine, and the submerged theater was featured
on the cover of Popular Mechanics; in time, the show came to include
Glurpo, a pipe-smoking clown, and a swimming pig named Ralph; and
WHEREAS, The performances continued until the 1990s, when
Texas State University acquired the park and set a new course for
the property; today, the site hosts the Meadows Center for Water and
the Environment, which conducts research and educational programs
focused on promoting sustainable water management and
environmental stewardship; the critical nature of the center's work
is underscored by the fact that the Edwards Aquifer supplies
drinking water to several million people and serves as the
principal source of water for agriculture and industry throughout
the region, while waters discharged by the aquifer also support
recreation and tourism; in addition, the aquifer system sustains
over 40 highly adapted species and a number that are either
threatened or endangered, including five found in the San Marcos
Springs and a stretch of river just below the springs; and
WHEREAS, In 2016, the Mermaid Society of San Marcos was
created to foster harmony among the varied interests of
environmentalism, the arts, and economic growth; the society has
established an annual Mermaid Week, which includes a parade, the
Mermaid Society Ball, and the Mermaid SPLASH Festival; and
WHEREAS, Through its arts program and with revenue from its
hotel occupancy tax, the City of San Marcos has funded a number of
mermaid-themed works of public art, including a mural and a series
of seven-foot-tall statues decorated by various artists; and
WHEREAS, By adopting the mermaid as a symbol of the city, the
people of San Marcos are encouraging public interest in the natural
environment and highlighting the central role that their community
is playing in preserving the water resources of the Lone Star State;
now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the 86th Legislature of the State of Texas
hereby designate San Marcos as the Mermaid Capital of Texas; and, be
it further
RESOLVED, That, in accordance with the provisions of Section
391.003(e), Government Code, this designation remain in effect
until the 10th anniversary of its designation.