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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, The Texas State Aquarium in Corpus Christi is an |
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outstanding institution that is committed to connecting people with |
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nature and promoting conservation of the Gulf of Mexico; and |
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WHEREAS, After two decades of planning and fund-raising, TSA |
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first opened the doors to its original Gulf of Mexico exhibit in |
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1990; over the years, many new permanent and special exhibits have |
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been introduced, allowing spectators to see a live bald eagle, to |
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touch and feed stingrays, to watch Atlantic bottlenose dolphins |
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play, and to get an underwater view of the habitat formed around an |
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oil platform in the Gulf; the aquarium also features a splash park, |
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an artificial fossil dig site for uncovering casts of prehistoric |
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animal bones, and the Hawn Wild Flight Theater, with presentations |
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featuring trained birds, and in 2014, it announced an expansion |
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project that will more than double the size of the facilities; and |
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WHEREAS, In addition to entertaining and delighting |
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visitors, this private, not-for-profit institution gives back to |
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the community through its education and conservation programs; |
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field trips, summer camps, and distance learning empower Texans of |
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all ages to discover more about nature and marine wildlife, while |
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the Second Chances Wildlife Rehabilitation Program provides care |
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for ill or injured shorebirds, birds of prey, marine mammals, and |
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sea turtles, returning them to their natural habitats whenever |
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possible; furthermore, the aquarium coordinates beach cleanups |
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three times a year, fosters awareness of Texas watersheds with its |
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Keepers of the Coast program, and awards grants through its |
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Wildlife Care, Conservation, and Research Fund; and |
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WHEREAS, The Texas State Aquarium has been honored with |
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numerous accolades, including the Outstanding Public-Private |
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Partnership Award from Mutual of America, the Munson Aquatic |
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Conservation Exhibitry Award from the American Zoo and Aquarium |
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Association, and the Conservation and Environmental Stewardship |
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Award for Public Awareness from the Coastal Bend Bays Foundation; |
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in 2014, it became one of only six aquariums in the nation to earn a |
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prestigious four-star rating from Charity Navigator; and |
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WHEREAS, By encouraging Texans to appreciate the diversity |
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and vulnerability of marine life, the aquarium is making a |
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significant contribution to the Lone Star State, and the efforts |
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and achievements of all involved in this worthy endeavor indeed |
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merit special commendation; now, therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 85th Texas |
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Legislature hereby recognize February 21, 2017, as Texas State |
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Aquarium Day and extend to all those associated with the aquarium |
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sincere best wishes for continued success; and, be it further |
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RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be |
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prepared for the Texas State Aquarium as an expression of high |
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regard by the Texas House of Representatives. |