TITLE: Recognizing February 2, 2013, as World Wetlands Day.

SUMMARY: Recognizing February 2, 2013, as World Wetlands Day.

FULL TEXT:
WHEREAS, February 2, 2013, marks 42 years since the adoption of the Convention on Wetlands, and mindful citizens from Texas and around the globe will take part in activities to raise awareness of this vital natural resource; and WHEREAS, The Convention on Wetlands of International Importance, known as the Ramsar Convention, is an intergovernmental treaty that provides the framework for national action and international cooperation for the conservation and wise use of wetlands and their resources; each year since 1997, governments, nongovernmental organizations, and conservationists have celebrated the anniversary to increase understanding about the value of wetlands; and WHEREAS, There are more than 300 miles of coastline and millions of acres of wetlands in Texas; this critical terrain is invaluable to wildlife and humans both, as among its functions are flood control, water filtration, and nutrient cycling, as well as serving as a reproductive environment for birds and fishes; in addition, the shorelines, lakes, swamps, and marshes of the Lone Star State stabilize carbon dioxide levels and provide opportunities for recreation; and WHEREAS, The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department has indicated that about half of Texas' historic wetlands acreage has been developed for housing, industry, and other uses; with the observance of World Wetlands Day, Texans affirm the significance of these habitats and commit to protecting them for the benefit of all; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 83rd Texas Legislature hereby recognize February 2, 2013, as World Wetlands Day and encourage residents throughout the state to learn more about these important ecosystems. Farrar Straus M. Gonzalez of El Paso Oliveira Allen N. Gonzalez of El Paso Orr Alonzo Gooden Otto Alvarado Guerra Paddie Anchia Guillen Parker Anderson Gutierrez Patrick Ashby Harless Perez Aycock Harper-Brown Perry Bell Hernandez Luna Phillips Bohac Herrero Pickett Bonnen of Brazoria Hilderbran Pitts Bonnen of Galveston Howard Price Branch Huberty Raney Burkett Hughes Ratliff Burnam Hunter Raymond Button Isaac Reynolds Callegari Johnson Riddle Canales Kacal Ritter Capriglione Keffer Rodriguez of Bexar Carter King of Hemphill Rodriguez of Travis Clardy King of Parker Rose Coleman King of Taylor Sanford Collier King of Zavala Schaefer Cook Kleinschmidt Sheets Cortez Klick Sheffield of Bell Craddick Kolkhorst Sheffield of Coryell Creighton Krause Simmons Crownover Kuempel Simpson Dale Larson Smith Darby Laubenberg Smithee Davis of Dallas Lavender Springer J. Davis of Harris Leach Stephenson S. Davis of Harris Lewis Stickland Deshotel Longoria Strama Dukes Lozano Taylor Dutton Lucio III Thompson of Brazoria Eiland Marquez Thompson of Harris Elkins Martinez Toth Fallon Martinez Fischer Turner of Collin Farias McClendon Turner of Harris Farney Menendez Turner of Tarrant Farrar Miles Villalba Fletcher Miller of Comal Villarreal Flynn Miller of Fort Bend Vo Frank Moody Walle Frullo Morrison White Geren Munoz, Jr. Workman Giddings Murphy Wu Goldman Naishtat Zedler Gonzales Nevarez Zerwas Speaker of the House I certify that H.R. No. 226 was adopted by the House on February 4, 2013, by a non-record vote. Chief Clerk of the House