SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 497
WHEREAS, The City of South Padre Island is celebrating the
50th anniversary of its founding in 2023; and
WHEREAS, Situated at the southernmost tip of Padre Island
in Cameron County, the City of South Padre Island is located in
the vicinity of the Rancho de Santa Cruz de Buena Vista, settled
in the early 19th century by the island's namesake, Padre José
Ballí; it became a resort during the mid-19th century, and a
ferry later began serving the island; in the 1920s, civic leaders
tried to attract more tourists by building several seaside hotels
on wooden piers; and
WHEREAS, Development finally gained momentum following the
completion of the Queen Isabella Causeway in 1954; nearly two
decades later, dedicated citizens launched a campaign to
incorporate; they filed an application with Cameron County Judge
Ray Ramon in February 1973, and the election was conducted a
month later; on April 10, the judge counted 128 out of 158 ballots
in favor of incorporation; the board of aldermen held its first
meeting that June; and
WHEREAS, The community's population surpassed 300 by 1978
and then more than tripled within a decade; growth proceeded
apace as tourism flourished, and in 2009, the town became the
City of South Padre Island with the adoption of a home rule
charter; under its council-manager form of government, voters
elect a city council composed of the mayor, five district
members, and three at-large members; the council appoints the
city manager; and
WHEREAS, Tourism remains the major engine of the economy,
with more than 9 million people annually drawn by the sandy
beaches and subtropical landscape; city staff works with an
extensive volunteer network of committees, task forces, boards,
and commissions to preserve this lovely setting and support
world-class conservation efforts, including the protection of
the Kemp's Ridley sea turtle and an artificial reef; the South
Padre Island Birding and Nature Center, located on a major
migratory route, educates visitors about the more than 300 avian
species in the area, as well as other native flora and fauna; and
WHEREAS, Over the course of a half century, the City of
South Padre Island has distinguished itself as a community
characterized by natural beauty, livability, prosperity, and an
active, engaged citizenry; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 88th
Legislature, hereby congratulate the City of South Padre Island
on the 50th anniversary of its founding and extend to its
residents sincere best wishes for the future; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this Resolution be
prepared for the city as an expression of high regard from the
Texas Senate.
LaMantia
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President of the Senate
I hereby certify that the
above Resolution was adopted by
the Senate on May 1, 2023.
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Secretary of the Senate
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Member, Texas Senate