S.C.R. No. 26
SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, The Lone Star State is blessed with abundant
wildlife and natural resources, and for more than 125 years, Texas
game wardens have played a vital role in preserving and protecting
this rich legacy for all Texans; and
WHEREAS, The profession of Texas game warden has its roots in
the office of the Fish and Oyster Commissioner, which was created in
1895 by the 24th Texas Legislature; the first commissioner was I. P.
Kibbe, and he appointed several deputies, including William Henry
Sterling, one of the first conservation law enforcement officers in
the state; staff salaries--$150 a month for the commissioner and up
to $50 a month for the deputies--were funded by the sale of licenses
and permits; in 1899, the commission was given jurisdiction over
all public waters, including freshwater streams, lakes, and ponds,
and four years later the agency's duties were expanded to include
commercial shrimping; and
WHEREAS, Over the years, the name of the agency has changed
several times; it was designated the office of the Game, Fish, and
Oyster Commissioner in 1907, the Game, Fish, and Oyster Commission
in 1929, and the Game and Fish Commission in 1951; since 1963, the
agency has been known as the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department,
and in 1965, the professionals now known as Texas game wardens were
further tasked with enforcing recreational safety on all waters of
the state; in 1971, the 62nd Texas Legislature formally recognized
TPWD game wardens as peace officers, granting them full authority
to preserve the peace within Texas; and
WHEREAS, The ranks of game wardens in Texas have grown over
the years, from six officers in 1919 to more than 550 today; active
and retired game wardens joined together in 1979 to found the Texas
Game Warden Association and again in 2000 to establish the Game
Warden Peace Officers Association, with both organizations working
to further the vitality and the heritage of the profession; and
WHEREAS, The dedicated men and women who serve as game
wardens in the Lone Star State work tirelessly to safeguard the rich
bounty of our natural resources and to maintain them for the use and
enjoyment of present and future generations, and their exemplary
service is deeply appreciated by their fellow Texans; now,
therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the 87th Legislature of the State of Texas
hereby designate the third Tuesday in February as Texas Game Warden
Day; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That, in accordance with the provisions of Section
391.004(d), Government Code, this designation remain in effect
until the 10th anniversary of the date this resolution is finally
passed by the legislature.
______________________________ ______________________________
President of the Senate Speaker of the House
______________________________ ______________________________
President of the Senate Speaker of the House
I hereby certify that S.C.R. No. 26 was adopted by the Senate
on April 19, 2021, by a viva-voce vote.
______________________________
Secretary of the Senate
I hereby certify that S.C.R. No. 26 was adopted by the House
on May 18, 2021, by the following vote: Yeas 143, Nays 0,
two present not voting.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House
Approved:
______________________________
Date
______________________________
Governor