| 1 | 1 | | H.R. No. 371 |
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| 3 | 3 | | |
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| 4 | 4 | | R E S O L U T I O N |
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| 5 | 5 | | WHEREAS, The Texas Hill Country is one of the fastest-growing |
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| 6 | 6 | | regions of our state and nation, and the area's continued growth |
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| 7 | 7 | | presents unique challenges to the stewardship of its natural |
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| 8 | 8 | | resources; and |
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| 9 | 9 | | WHEREAS, A significant economic engine for the Lone Star |
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| 10 | 10 | | State, the Hill Country boasts a regional GDP of nearly |
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| 11 | 11 | | $300 billion and a population of more than four million people, |
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| 12 | 12 | | many of whom choose to live there because of the high quality of |
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| 13 | 13 | | life and numerous opportunities the area affords; and |
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| 14 | 14 | | WHEREAS, Spanning 18 counties in Central Texas, the Hill |
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| 15 | 15 | | Country contains the headwaters of 12 of Texas' rivers, thousands |
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| 16 | 16 | | of natural springs, and four of the state's nine major aquifers; a |
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| 17 | 17 | | total of more than 1,100 miles of river flow through the region, and |
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| 18 | 18 | | it is home to some of the most highly visited parks in the entire |
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| 19 | 19 | | state park system; and |
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| 20 | 20 | | WHEREAS, The Hill Country's natural areas provide habitats |
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| 21 | 21 | | for at least 300 species of plants, mammals, birds, reptiles, and |
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| 22 | 22 | | fish of the greatest conservation need, many of which depend on land |
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| 23 | 23 | | and water preservation efforts for their survival; and |
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| 24 | 24 | | WHEREAS, The historic practices of farming, ranching, |
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| 25 | 25 | | hunting, and fishing are likewise increasingly threatened by |
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| 26 | 26 | | unprecedented development, traffic, soaring land prices, soil |
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| 27 | 27 | | erosion, and the degradation of free-flowing streams in the region, |
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| 28 | 28 | | putting families at risk of losing their livelihoods; and |
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| 29 | 29 | | WHEREAS, Locally driven initiatives offer a responsible way |
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| 30 | 30 | | to manage future growth while protecting the area's lands, waters, |
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| 31 | 31 | | and rural communities; ensuring the long-term prosperity of the |
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| 32 | 32 | | region requires collaboration between its diverse stakeholders, |
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| 33 | 33 | | including rural and urban residents, elected officials, |
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| 34 | 34 | | businesses, farmers and ranchers, builders and developers, and |
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| 35 | 35 | | representatives of the recreation and tourism industries; and |
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| 36 | 36 | | WHEREAS, By working together, we can protect the Texas Hill |
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| 37 | 37 | | Country for generations to come, and it is fitting that we |
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| 38 | 38 | | acknowledge the critical importance of taking action for the sake |
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| 39 | 39 | | of all who appreciate this dynamic and beautiful area of our state; |
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| 40 | 40 | | now, therefore, be it |
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| 41 | 41 | | RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 88th Texas |
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| 42 | 42 | | Legislature hereby recognize the Texas Hill Country as an integral |
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| 43 | 43 | | part of the State of Texas and commend those who are endeavoring to |
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| 44 | 44 | | preserve the region's precious natural resources and iconic |
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| 45 | 45 | | landscape. |
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| 46 | 46 | | Murr |
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| 47 | 47 | | Garcia |
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| 48 | 48 | | ______________________________ |
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| 49 | 49 | | Speaker of the House |
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| 50 | 50 | | I certify that H.R. No. 371 was adopted by the House on May 6, |
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| 51 | 51 | | 2023, by the following vote: Yeas 138, Nays 0, 2 present, not |
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| 52 | 52 | | voting. |
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| 53 | 53 | | ______________________________ |
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| 54 | 54 | | Chief Clerk of the House |
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