H.C.R. No. 106       HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION            WHEREAS, Texas has been the nation's top exporting state for   the last 14 consecutive years, with an estimated $650 billion in   trade in 2015 alone; exports support some 1.6 million jobs and   contribute over $200 billion to the gross state product; and          WHEREAS, The Gulf Coast region of Texas plays a crucial role   in the prosperity of the state, as it is home not only to the largest   concentration of petrochemical manufacturing and refining   facilities in the United States but also to the federal Strategic   Petroleum Reserve and a vital supply of aviation jet fuel for   military and commercial use; in addition, Texas ports along the   Gulf Coast are integral to the chemical manufacturing industry and   to both the state and national economies; and          WHEREAS, This Gulf Coast region, however, is vulnerable to   major weather events, including intense hurricanes, which in the   recent past have devastated area cities by causing significant loss   of life, destroying residential and commercial property, damaging   sensitive ecosystems, and weakening local economies; and          WHEREAS, In response to the havoc wreaked by Hurricanes Ike   and Rita, researchers at the Center for Texas Beaches and Shores at   Texas A&M University at Galveston designed the Coastal Spine; plans   for implementing the structure have included consideration of   scientific research, historical storm data, and existing systems;   moreover, the environmental impact such an apparatus would have on   the surrounding area and waterway is being vigorously evaluated,   and the study is expected to be completed in the summer of 2017; and          WHEREAS, The Gulf Coast Community Protection and Recovery   District, composed of Orange, Jefferson, Chambers, Harris,   Galveston, and Brazoria Counties, was created by Governor Rick   Perry in the aftermath of Hurricane Ike; its board, which   represents more than 6.5 million residents who live in the upper   Gulf Coast area, has determined that the Coastal Spine is the best   method for protecting against storm surges along the Texas coast;   the concept has also gained widespread support from residents,   businesses, and elected officials throughout the coastal region;   and          WHEREAS, The General Land Office of the State of Texas is   committed to partnering with the United States Army Corps of   Engineers to implement the construction of the Coastal Spine; and          WHEREAS, The Texas Legislature is committed to the creation   of a special purpose district within the Gulf Coast Region in order   to fund the ongoing operations and maintenance of any structures   and facilities related to the Coastal Spine; and          WHEREAS, The potential benefits of the Coastal Spine are   manifold, ranging from preserving life and property to spurring   economic growth and cutting state expenses for disaster assistance,   and it is necessary for the U.S. government to provide aid and   support for further research, design, and construction of the   coastal barrier; now, therefore, be it          RESOLVED, That the 85th Legislature of the State of Texas   hereby express its support for the development and construction of   a coastal barrier to protect the Gulf Coast region of Texas from   storm surges; and, be it further          RESOLVED, That the Texas Legislature hereby urge the United   States Congress to provide sufficient federal funding for the   construction of the project; and, be it further          RESOLVED, That the Texas Legislature hereby urge the U.S.   Congress to expedite the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers design and   construction process; and, be it further          RESOLVED, That the Texas secretary of state forward official   copies of this resolution to the president of the United States, to   the president of the Senate and the speaker of the House of   Representatives of the United States Congress, and to all the   members of the Texas delegation to Congress with the request that   this resolution be entered in the Congressional Record as a   memorial to the Congress of the United States of America.     Deshotel   Perez   Faircloth   Roberts   Cain   Bonnen of Galveston   Wu       ______________________________ ______________________________      President of the Senate Speaker of the House                   I certify that H.C.R. No. 106 was adopted by the House on May   5, 2017, by the following vote:  Yeas 144, Nays 1, 2 present, not   voting.     ______________________________   Chief Clerk of the House                 I certify that H.C.R. No. 106 was adopted by the Senate on May   24, 2017, by the following vote:  Yeas 31, Nays 0.     ______________________________   Secretary of the Senate      APPROVED: __________________                   Date                       __________________                 Governor