88R19276 BHH-D
By: Hunter H.R. No. 624
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, Residents of Port Aransas are gathering in Austin on
April 12, 2023, to celebrate Port Aransas Day at the State Capitol;
and
WHEREAS, In the early 1800s, Mustang Island was frequented by
the famed buccaneer Jean Lafitte, and in 1855, an English sheep and
cattle rancher named Robert A. Mercer built a cabin on the island; a
community developed around the site, and the first post office was
established in 1888; initially called Ropesville, the town was
renamed Tarpon eight years later to highlight the island's fine
fishing, and in 1911, it was officially designated as Port Aransas;
and
WHEREAS, The city has since become one of the most popular
family destinations on the Texas Gulf Coast, and the superb beaches
draw campers, swimmers, and surfers from across the Lone Star
State; the town's launching ramps, lighted piers, and jetties
enable anglers to catch a wide variety of fish, including red
snapper, redfish, flounder, speckled trout, tuna, and more; and
WHEREAS, Port Aransas is one of the top bird-watching
locations in the country, and many areas afford fine opportunities
to view local species such as herons and roseate spoonbills as well
as the annual migrations of hummingbirds, flycatchers, orioles, and
whooping cranes; additionally, visitors may delight in the town's
art galleries, shops, restaurants, and locations of historical
interest; and
WHEREAS, Port Aransas boasts a thriving tourism industry,
which is an important economic engine for the state, generating
nearly $18 million in city and state hotel taxes and more than $15
million in related sales taxes in 2022; and
WHEREAS, The community is served by the Port Aransas
Independent School District, which has consistently earned an A
accountability rating from the Texas Education Agency, and it
further benefits from the educational opportunities provided by The
University of Texas Marine Science Institute, which supports
sustainability and research in fields vital to the future of the
Texas coast; and
WHEREAS, Blessed with natural beauty and a colorful history,
Port Aransas is one of the Lone Star State's great treasures, and
its citizens may indeed take pride in their rich heritage and
ongoing achievements; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 88th Texas
Legislature hereby recognize April 12, 2023, as Port Aransas Day at
the State Capitol and extend to the visiting delegation sincere
best wishes for a meaningful and memorable stay in Austin.