SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 429
WHEREAS, Proud residents of Port Aransas are gathering in
Austin to celebrate Port Aransas Day at the State Capitol on
March 19, 2019; and
WHEREAS, The site of the town on Mustang Island was first
inhabited by the Karankawa, and in the early 1800s, it was
frequented by the famed buccaneer Jean Lafitte; the natural
passage between the island and Saint Joseph Island was originally
named Aranzazu, and it became known as Aransas Pass; and
WHEREAS, In 1855, an English sheep and cattle rancher named
Robert A. Mercer built a cabin on Mustang Island at the site that
later became the town; Elihu Harrison Ropes started a project to
dig a channel across the island in 1890, and the community that
grew around the new post office was called Ropesville; in 1896,
it was renamed Tarpon to highlight the island's fine fishing, and
in 1911, the town was officially designated as Port Aransas; and
WHEREAS, Since World War II, the city has become one of the
most popular resort destinations on the Texas Gulf Coast; the
superb beaches draw campers, swimmers, and surfers from across the
Lone Star State, and the town's launching ramps, lighted piers, and
jetties enable anglers to catch a wide diversity of fish, including
red snapper, shark, sand trout, tuna, and bonito; and
WHEREAS, Port Aransas is also one of the top bird-watching
destinations in the nation, and many preserved venues afford fine
opportunities to view such local species as herons and roseate
spoonbills and to observe the annual migrations of hummingbirds,
flycatchers, and orioles; and
WHEREAS, The rich variety of sea life found along the Gulf
Coast can be appreciated at The University of Texas Marine Science
Institute; visitors also delight in the town's many fine art
galleries, shops, seafood restaurants, and lodging accommodations,
including the historic Tarpon Inn, which displays tarpon scales
signed by such famous visitors as President Franklin Delano
Roosevelt and movie star Hedy Lamarr; and
WHEREAS, Port Aransas was faced with numerous challenges
after Hurricane Harvey made landfall in August of 2017 and caused
widespread and massive damage to homes, businesses, and city
infrastructure; residents have demonstrated admirable resiliency
and perseverance as they have worked steadfastly to rebuild, and
throughout their recovery efforts, they have continued to welcome
visitors and vacationers from across the state to their beloved
hometown; and
WHEREAS, Blessed with natural beauty and a colorful
history, Port Aransas is one of the jewels of the Lone Star State,
and its citizens may indeed take great pride in their heritage
and ongoing achievements; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 86th
Legislature, hereby recognize March 19, 2019, as Port Aransas Day
at the State Capitol and extend to the visiting delegation
sincere best wishes for an enjoyable and informative visit to
Austin.
Kolkhorst
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President of the Senate
I hereby certify that the
above Resolution was adopted by
the Senate on March 18, 2019.
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Secretary of the Senate
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Member, Texas Senate