84R7978 BPG-D
 
  By: Deshotel H.R. No. 645
 
 
 
R E S O L U T I O N
         WHEREAS, Hundreds of civic-minded residents of Beaumont,
  Orange, Port Arthur, and other communities in Jefferson and Orange
  Counties are visiting Austin on March 1-3, 2015, to promote the
  advancement of their region during Golden Triangle Days at the
  State Capitol; and
         WHEREAS, A strategically important source of energy and
  chemical manufactured products, the Golden Triangle refines about
  13 percent of the nation's gasoline daily, including 60 percent of
  its commercial jet fuel and the majority of its military jet fuel;
  and
         WHEREAS, The region is served by the Sabine Neches Waterway,
  which ranks fourth in the nation for total tonnage and supports a
  large percentage of the nation's petrochemical industry; it is the
  nation's top commercial military out-load port and the first in
  crude oil imports, and on June 10, 2014, the federal government
  authorized an improvement project that will deepen the channel to
  48 feet, enhancing the global competitiveness of this key gateway;
  and
         WHEREAS, The Golden Triangle is also linked to an extensive
  rail and pipeline system; construction has been completed on a
  pipeline from Oklahoma to Jefferson County, and with over $21
  billion in announced new economic development projects and another
  $24 billion under consideration, the region has become an
  increasingly vital contributor to the economic prosperity of the
  state; and
         WHEREAS, The area's population has access to such notable
  institutions of higher education as Lamar University, Lamar State
  College-Orange, Lamar State College-Port Arthur, and the Lamar
  Institute of Technology; moreover, a number of training programs
  are available to ensure the preparedness of the workforce;
  residents further benefit from unique cultural and environmental
  sites, among them Shangri La Botanical Gardens and Nature Center,
  Big Thicket National Preserve, and coastal habitats such as Sea Rim
  State Park and the McFadden National Wildlife Refuge, which also
  draw many tourists; and
         WHEREAS, Public-spirited residents of Jefferson and Orange
  Counties are working together to build a bright, prosperous future
  for their region, and it is indeed fitting to honor their steadfast
  commitment to the betterment of their communities and of the Lone
  Star State; now, therefore, be it
         RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 84th Texas
  Legislature hereby recognize March 1-3, 2015, as Golden Triangle
  Days at the State Capitol and extend to all those participating
  sincere best wishes for an informative and enjoyable stay in
  Austin.