SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 374
WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas is pleased to
join in celebrating the grand reopening of Galveston Island State
Park, which is taking place on March 31 and April 1, 2023, during
the centennial year of Texas State Parks; and
WHEREAS, Along with many other areas on the Texas Gulf
Coast, Galveston Island State Park suffered catastrophic damage
in 2008 as a result of Hurricane Ike and its aftermath; the Texas
Parks and Wildlife Department has worked diligently since that
time to restore the park, and with the aid of state and federal
funding, the valuable assistance of partners including Friends
of Galveston Island State Park and Texas Master Naturalist, and
the dedicated efforts of numerous volunteers, the park was able
to reopen for limited access just six months after Hurricane Ike,
and today celebrates its grand reopening; and
WHEREAS, Throughout the park's restoration, the Galveston
Island State Park Beach Redevelopment project has served to focus
and lead recovery efforts while working to conserve and protect
the park's natural and cultural resources; the redevelopment
project was realized through $10.6 million in funding provided
through the Deepwater Horizon Natural Resources Damage
Assessment Phase III Early Restoration program by its Texas
trustees, and the project's funding leveraged money from the
state's sales tax on sporting goods to design and rebuild the
park with the goal of preservation and greater resilience against
extreme weather events; and
WHEREAS, The Galveston Island State Park Beach
Redevelopment project has demonstrated Texas Parks and Wildlife
Department's ongoing commitment to conserving the endangered
Coastal Prairie habitat located within Galveston Island State
Park, and the department's concerted efforts to restore and
protect our state's natural resources continue to ensure that
Texas residents and visitors and future generations of Texans
will have the opportunity to experience and enjoy the state's
treasured outdoor spaces and its enduring natural beauty; and
WHEREAS, In celebration of the successful efforts and hard
work of all who have contributed to the park's restoration, Texas
Parks and Wildlife Department invites the public to attend a
ribbon-cutting ceremony on Friday, March 31, to commemorate the
park's reopening and welcomes visitors to the park on Saturday,
April 1, to join in a day of celebration and to enjoy the park's
unique natural setting and its numerous recreational
opportunities; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 88th
Legislature, hereby recognize the Texas Parks and Wildlife
Department and the Galveston Island State Park Beach
Redevelopment project and extend to all in attendance at the
grand reopening of Galveston Island State Park best wishes for a
memorable and enjoyable celebration; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared in
honor of this special occasion.
Middleton
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President of the Senate
I hereby certify that the
above Resolution was adopted by
the Senate on April 3, 2023.
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Secretary of the Senate
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Member, Texas Senate