TITLE: Recognizing March 26, 2015, as Texas Mining and Reclamation Association Day at the Capitol.

SUMMARY: Recognizing March 26, 2015, as Texas Mining and Reclamation Association Day at the Capitol.

FULL TEXT:
WHEREAS, Distinguished members and officers of the Texas Mining and Reclamation Association are gathering at the State Capitol on March 26, 2015, to celebrate the association's achievements and to highlight the importance of the mining industry in the Lone Star State; and WHEREAS, Serving as the voice for the Texas mining industry, TMRA strives to create an effective balance between mineral production, environmental protection, economic strength, and public welfare as it educates the public, regulators, and policymakers on the value of mining to our state's economy; and WHEREAS, TMRA provides annual free teacher workshops to increase teachers' knowledge about earth science and geology and how to make the best use of our natural resources while protecting the environment; since 1991, these workshops have provided more than 1,500 teachers with valuable classroom materials and have contributed to the education of over one million students in the state; and WHEREAS, Texas contains an abundance of raw materials that improve the quality of our lives: metal ores provide manufacturers with vital components for production; sand, stone, and gravel, which can be found in quarries across the state, serve as the foundation for new construction; and industrial minerals are important components of a variety of products, from pharmaceuticals to automobiles; and WHEREAS, Coal mining and coal-fired electricity generation are important economic engines in Texas, and these industries spark additional business activity up and down their supply chains, thereby creating new jobs and income for Texas residents; Texas coal is a reliable source of fuel for electric power generation and contributes to efforts to make the state more energy independent and a more competitive place to do business; and WHEREAS, Uranium, another fuel source used for the generation of electricity, can produce more power than other clean energy sources; the annual investments and economic activity generated by the Texas uranium mining industry help boost economic growth and development, and this economic activity is an especially critical driver of economic opportunity in many South Texas counties; and WHEREAS, The mining industry in Texas has a positive economic impact of more than $13 billion annually, including over 34,000 direct industry jobs and 86,000 indirect employment opportunities, and this economic impact is largest in small, rural communities that have few other contributing industries; and WHEREAS, By providing important information about the mining industry in Texas and training current and future generations of business and government leaders, TMRA is making significant contributions to the prosperity of the state; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 84th Texas Legislature hereby recognize March 26, 2015, as Texas Mining and Reclamation Association Day at the Capitol and commend the association for its notable record of service and for its outstanding efforts to educate Texas citizens on the value of mining to our state's economy. Paddie Speaker of the House I certify that H.R. No. 1529 was adopted by the House on March 26, 2015, by a non-record vote. Chief Clerk of the House