TITLE: Designating Hemphill as the official Bass Fishing Capital of Texas for a 10-year period ending in 2035.

SUMMARY: Designating Hemphill as the official Bass Fishing Capital of Texas for a 10-year period ending in 2035.

FULL TEXT:
WHEREAS, Nestled in the beautiful Piney Woods of East Texas, the city of Hemphill is renowned in the Lone Star State and beyond as a premier destination for bass fishing; and WHEREAS, The seat of Sabine County, Hemphill is situated between Toledo Bend Reservoir on the Sabine River and Sam Rayburn Reservoir on the Angelina River; these two immensely popular locations regularly rank near the top in ratings of bass fishing sites, and in recent years, each has been recognized as the best bass fishing lake in the nation by Bassmaster Magazine;and WHEREAS, The reservoirs contain a variety of fish species but are best known for their thriving populations of largemouth bass; an analysis of fishing tournament results published in Texas Parks and Wildlife noted that the lakes were among the state's best in terms of the size and availability of bass, and the reservoirs attract legions of recreational and professional anglers seeking trophy catches; and WHEREAS, Serving as the hub of this prime fishing area, Hemphill is home to marinas, bait and tackle shops, guide services, restaurants, hotels, and a host of other enterprises catering to visitors; these fishing-related businesses help drive the local economy, and the city has a deep and long-lasting connection to the culture of the outdoors; residents of Hemphill and the wider region demonstrate a strong commitment to conservation and responsible fishing practices, and through their dedicated environmental stewardship, they are working to ensure that water resources are protected and preserved for future generations; and WHEREAS, That mission is furthered by the public agencies that help oversee the reservoirs; these include the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, which manages the stocking of fish and guides vegetation management for both lakes, and the Sabine River Authority of Texas, which has helped install fish habitat structures in Toledo Bend Reservoir and is developing new facilities, such as Sabinetown Park, a world-class venue for fishing tournaments, boating, and other recreational activities; and WHEREAS, Bass fishing is integral to the heritage and prosperity of Hemphill, and the sport has brought the city a level of national acclaim that is a source of pride to all Texans; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the 89th Legislature of the State of Texas hereby designate Hemphill as the official Bass Fishing Capital of Texas; and, be it further RESOLVED, That, in accordance with the provisions of Section 391.003(e), Government Code, this designation remain in effect until the 10th anniversary of the date this resolution is finally passed by the legislature. Shofner President of the Senate Speaker of the House I certify that H.C.R. No. 75 was adopted by the House on May 1, 2025, by the following vote: Yeas 119, Nays 22, 5 present, not voting. Chief Clerk of the House I certify that H.C.R. No. 75 was adopted by the Senate on May 14, 2025, by the following vote: Yeas 31, Nays 0. Secretary of the Senate APPROVED: Date Governor