TITLE: Commemorating the 150th anniversary of the Bolivar Point Lighthouse.

SUMMARY: Commemorating the 150th anniversary of the Bolivar Point Lighthouse.

FULL TEXT:
WHEREAS, The 150th anniversary of the Bolivar Point Lighthouse is being celebrated with an open house event on February 19, 2023; and WHEREAS, In 1872, the Bolivar Point Lighthouse was commissioned by Congress to guide ships through Galveston Bay, which was one of the busiest and largest ports in Texas; standing at the western tip of the Bolivar Peninsula, the lighthouse was equipped with a powerful Fresnel lens and painted with bold black and white stripes; it was first lighted on November 19, 1872, and by providing safe passage for maritime commerce, it substantially impacted the growth of Galveston, Texas City, Houston, and various other cities situated near the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway; and WHEREAS, During the Great Galveston Hurricane of 1900, the deadliest natural disaster in U.S. history, the Bolivar Point Lighthouse acted as a sanctuary for 125 people; while more than 6,000 individuals perished, the structure withstood the storms and all who sought shelter within its walls survived; the lighthouse once again served as a safe haven during a hurricane in 1915, when 61 people waded through rising waters to reach its door; and WHEREAS, The Bolivar Point Lighthouse was retired in 1933 after 61 years of faithful service, and it sat neglected until 1947, when it was auctioned off by the government and acquired by the Maxwell/Boyt families; although the lighthouse has suffered damage over the years due to various hurricanes and the 1947 Texas City explosion, it remains standing to this day; and WHEREAS, In 2015, the Bolivar Point Lighthouse Foundation was created in an ongoing effort to preserve and restore the lighthouse; due to its severe state of deterioration, the Galveston Historical Foundation placed it on its Heritage at Risk List with critical priority in 2019; by restoring the lighthouse to its former glory, the foundation aims to open it to visitors and save an invaluable piece of Texas history; and WHEREAS, Over the past century and a half, the Bolivar Point Lighthouse has served as a beacon of strength and hope, and it is a pleasure to join in celebrating its long and storied history; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 88th Texas Legislature hereby commemorate the 150th anniversary of the Bolivar Point Lighthouse and extend to all those in attendance at the open house event sincere best wishes for a memorable and meaningful celebration. Leo-Wilson Speaker of the House I certify that H.R. No. 151 was adopted by the House on February 14, 2023, by a non-record vote. Chief Clerk of the House