88R19824 BHH-D
By: A. Johnson of Harris H.R. No. 669
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, The Houston Zoo is celebrating the opening of its
new Galápagos Islands exhibit with a preview event on April 3, 2023;
and
WHEREAS, Since announcing its Keeping Our World Wild
Centennial Capital Campaign celebrating the facility's 100th
anniversary, the Houston Zoo has created a series of new exhibits
that includes the Hamill Foundation Black Bear Exhibit, a renovated
orangutan exhibit, the Kathrine G. McGovern Texas Wetlands, and
South America's Pantanal; and
WHEREAS, The largest initiative in the campaign, the
Galápagos Islands exhibit is the first of its kind to showcase the
unique wildlife of the famed island chain, such as giant tortoises
and sharks, as well as Humboldt penguins and California sea lions,
who represent their strictly protected Galápagos relatives; and
WHEREAS, In addition to its impressive new habitats, the
exhibit also offers educational programming that emphasizes the
delicate balance of ecosystems and the pressing need for
conservation; the zoo has long demonstrated a commitment to
conservation efforts, and it supports Galápagos research and
conservation awareness programs focused on giant tortoise ecology,
wildlife protection, and ocean plastic waste removal and
mitigation; moreover, zoo veterinarian Dr. Joe Flanagan has
conducted conservation research regarding giant tortoises, sea
turtles, and land iguanas in the Galápagos for many years; and
WHEREAS, For more than a century, the Houston Zoo has been
delighting and informing visitors about the wonders of the animal
kingdom, and this exciting new exhibit is sure to serve as an
invaluable asset to the city for years to come; now, therefore, be
it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 88th Texas
Legislature hereby commemorate the grand opening of the Houston
Zoo's Galápagos Islands exhibit and recognize all those involved in
bringing this project to fruition for their outstanding work; and,
be it further
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
prepared for the Houston Zoo as an expression of high regard by the
Texas House of Representatives.