H.R. No. 491
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, Texas Bays and Estuaries Day at the State Capitol is
taking place on March 7, 2023, to raise awareness of the critical
importance of our state's precious coastal water resources; and
WHEREAS, The Texas coast is home to nearly 7 million people
across 18 counties; treasured by citizens throughout the state, it
spans over 3,000 miles of bay shorelines and includes coastal
prairies, saltmarsh wetlands, beaches, dunes, estuaries, and other
ecosystems; and
WHEREAS, The eight major bay systems of Texas, Sabine Lake,
Galveston Bay, Matagorda Bay, San Antonio Bay, Aransas Bay, Corpus
Christi Bay, Upper Laguna Madre, and Lower Laguna Madre, connect
inflows from inland streams and rivers with oceanic tidal waters
from the Gulf of Mexico; this process results in the creation of
estuaries composed of freshwater mixed with saltwater; and
WHEREAS, Our state's bays and estuaries serve as habitats for
numerous species of fish and other wildlife, including endangered
species, and contain coastal lands that are protected under the
federal Coastal Zone Management Act; the coast's diverse natural
environments also provide outstanding opportunities for nature
enthusiasts and preservationists from all over the world; and
WHEREAS, Ranching, farming, fishing, and petroleum are among
the industries that operate along the Texas coast; bays and
estuaries help sustain waterborne commerce, energy and chemical
manufacturing businesses, military operations, commercial fishing,
and recreational activities and tourism, all of which contribute
significantly to our state's economy; these areas also play a vital
role in protecting communities from storms and floods and in
providing shoreline stabilization and erosion prevention, thus
helping to mitigate environmental damage while safeguarding lives
and property; and
WHEREAS, The bays and estuaries of the Texas coastline are of
tremendous environmental, recreational, and economic value to the
Lone Star State, in addition to offering incomparable scenic beauty
for all Texans to enjoy, and Texas Bays and Estuaries Day presents a
welcome opportunity to highlight the necessity of preserving and
maintaining these areas for the benefit of future generations; now,
therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 88th Texas
Legislature hereby recognize March 7, 2023, as Texas Bays and
Estuaries Day at the State Capitol and commend all those who are
working to protect and preserve the bays and estuaries of the Texas
coast.
Hunter
______________________________
Speaker of the House
I certify that H.R. No. 491 was adopted by the House on March
7, 2023, by a non-record vote.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House