| 1 | 1 | | H.R. No. 993 |
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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, On March 21, 2023, President Joseph R. Biden Jr. |
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| 6 | 6 | | signed a proclamation establishing the Castner Range National |
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| 7 | 7 | | Monument near El Paso; and |
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| 8 | 8 | | WHEREAS, Encompassing nearly 6,700 acres in the high desert |
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| 9 | 9 | | of far West Texas, Castner Range makes up the southern portion of |
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| 10 | 10 | | the Franklin Mountains; the creation of the national monument puts |
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| 11 | 11 | | into place a wide range of protections for wildlife, ecosystems, |
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| 12 | 12 | | culturally significant sites, unique geological features, and |
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| 13 | 13 | | archeological, paleontological, biological, and ecological |
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| 14 | 14 | | resources; and |
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| 15 | 15 | | WHEREAS, Located on the Fort Bliss military base near the |
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| 16 | 16 | | heart of El Paso, Castner Range served as the training and testing |
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| 17 | 17 | | site for the U.S. Army from 1926 through 1966; the area was once |
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| 18 | 18 | | home to the Comanche Nation and the Apache, Pueblo, Hopi, and Kiowa |
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| 19 | 19 | | Tribes, among other indigenous peoples; within Castner Range, |
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| 20 | 20 | | scientists have identified 41 archeological sites that include |
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| 21 | 21 | | living structures, hearths, remnants of pottery and tools, and |
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| 22 | 22 | | petroglyphs and images; and |
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| 23 | 23 | | WHEREAS, An area of rich biodiversity for desert species, |
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| 24 | 24 | | Castner Range features a high concentration of natural springs and |
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| 25 | 25 | | crucial habitat for such wildlife as American peregrine falcons, |
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| 26 | 26 | | golden eagles, Texas horned lizards, black-tailed prairie dogs, and |
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| 27 | 27 | | Western burrowing owls; rare and endemic plants are also found |
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| 28 | 28 | | throughout the range, and its protection will play a vital role in |
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| 29 | 29 | | setting up migratory corridors that allow for safe wildlife travel; |
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| 30 | 30 | | moreover, the declaration of the land as a monument will expand |
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| 31 | 31 | | access to outdoor recreation on public land while providing |
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| 32 | 32 | | research and educational opportunities for people of all ages in a |
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| 33 | 33 | | natural classroom setting; and |
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| 34 | 34 | | WHEREAS, The preservation and protection of Castner Range |
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| 35 | 35 | | honors the history of the Native Americans and the military |
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| 36 | 36 | | veterans who once lived and worked there, and the new national |
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| 37 | 37 | | monument stands as a beautiful and majestic landmark that |
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| 38 | 38 | | El Pasoans and all visitors will enjoy for years to come; now, |
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| 39 | 39 | | therefore, be it |
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| 40 | 40 | | RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 88th Texas |
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| 41 | 41 | | Legislature hereby commemorate the establishment of the Castner |
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| 42 | 42 | | Range National Monument and extend sincere appreciation to the |
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| 43 | 43 | | environmental leaders and advocates who helped bring about this |
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| 44 | 44 | | historic designation. |
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| 45 | 45 | | Moody |
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| 46 | 46 | | ______________________________ |
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| 47 | 47 | | Speaker of the House |
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| 48 | 48 | | I certify that H.R. No. 993 was adopted by the House on April |
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| 49 | 49 | | 20, 2023, by a non-record vote. |
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| 50 | 50 | | ______________________________ |
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| 51 | 51 | | Chief Clerk of the House |
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