H.R. No. 1835
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, Proud residents of South Padre Island are
celebrating the 50th anniversary of their city's incorporation in
2023, and a delegation from the community is visiting the State
Capitol to commemorate this occasion on May 24; and
WHEREAS, South Padre Island is located on the southernmost
end of Padre Island, a barrier island that spans 113 miles along the
southern coast of Texas; it was named after Padre José Nicolás
Ballí, who was awarded the island's first known land grant; in the
mid-19th century, the southern section of the island began seeing
use as a resort, and during the 1920s, several seaside hotels were
built in an effort to attract more tourists; and
WHEREAS, In 1954, the completion of the Queen Isabella
Causeway, which connects South Padre Island to Port Isabel on the
mainland, ushered in a new era of development for the city; this led
local citizens to organize a campaign to incorporate, which
succeeded with a majority vote on April 10, 1973; and
WHEREAS, South Padre Island's white sand beaches and
subtropical climate make it one of the state's premier tourist
destinations; the city attracts more than nine million vacationers
each year and offers abundant opportunities for boating, fishing,
parasailing, hiking, horseback riding, and other outdoor
activities; it is also home to the South Padre Island Birding and
Nature Center, where visitors can learn about the diverse species
of birds, animals, and plants that can be found in the area; and
WHEREAS, The City of South Padre Island benefits from the
contributions of a multitude of citizens, volunteers, elected
officials, and public servants, who work in myriad ways to preserve
and enhance their community and way of life; this past April,
residents came together for a special 50th anniversary event, where
they affirmed their commitment to honoring the past, celebrating
the present, and embracing the future; and
WHEREAS, The people of South Padre Island share an
appreciation for the natural beauty, livability, and strong
community spirit that sets their city apart from others, and it is
indeed a pleasure to join them in marking this special milestone in
their history; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 88th Texas
Legislature hereby commemorate the 50th anniversary of the
incorporation of South Padre Island and extend a warm welcome to the
visiting delegation.
Lopez of Cameron
______________________________
Speaker of the House
I certify that H.R. No. 1835 was adopted by the House on May
24, 2023, by a non-record vote.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House