TITLE: Endorsing the nomination of San Antonio's Spanish colonial missions as a World Heritage site.

SUMMARY: Endorsing the nomination of San Antonio's Spanish colonial missions as a World Heritage site.

FULL TEXT:
WHEREAS, The Alamo is recognized around the world as a symbol of freedom and an inspiration to those battling against foreign oppression, and the United States Department of the Interior has formally nominated the Alamo and four other Spanish colonial missions in San Antonio for designation as a site on the World Heritage List; and WHEREAS, In the 18th century, the city of San Antonio began to develop around five missions founded by Spain, namely San Jos  ySan Miguel de Aguayo, Nuestra Se ora de la Pur sima Concepci n de Acu a, San Francisco de la Espada, San Juan Capistrano, and San Antonio de Valero, better known as the Alamo; these represent the largest concentration of Catholic missions in North America; and WHEREAS, World Heritage designation is granted under the World Heritage Convention, which works to enhance understanding, appreciation, and international cooperation for heritage conservation; in 1973, the United States became one of the nearly 200 nations to ratify the convention, an independent treaty administered under the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization; current listed sites include the Egyptian pyramids and Australia's Great Barrier Reef, as well as our nation's Statue of Liberty and Grand Canyon; if accepted, the San Antonio missions would become the first World Heritage site in the State of Texas; and WHEREAS, A Bexar County study found that World Heritage status for the missions would yield more than $100 million in economic impact over a 10-year period, while generating 1,000 local jobs and $2 million in hotel tax revenue; the City of San Antonio is supporting the nomination for this designation, and in so doing, it is both promoting economic development and helping to raise global awareness of the unique cultural heritage of the Lone Star State; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 84th Texas Legislature hereby endorse the nomination of San Antonio's Spanish colonial missions as a World Heritage site.