2020-0218
Title
Proclamation: "The Year to Embrace the Gulf"
Body
P R O C L A M A T I O N
WHEREAS, it is with pride that we recognize 2020 as the Year to Embrace the Gulf and acknowledge the Gulf of Mexico's importance to the nation; and,
WHEREAS, the Gulf of Mexico is an ocean basin bounded on the north, northeast, and northwest by the Gulf Coast of the United States, on the south and southwest by Mexico, and on the southeast by Cuba; and,
WHEREAS, the Gulf of Mexico is bordered by five Gulf Coast states: Alabama, Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texas; and the Gulf region contributes to the nation's economy, security, energy, environment, heritage, beauty, diversity, and resilience; and,
WHEREAS, the Gulf of Mexico's watershed covers more than half of the continental United States and the Mississippi River drains more than one-third of the nation, and it is characterized with diverse flora and fauna, provides food, shelter, and habitat to marine and estuarine organisms, shorebirds, waterfowl, and wildlife; and,
WHEREAS, the Gulf Coast supports our nation's seafood industry through commercial fishing but also provides recreational adventures such as sailing, kayaking, canoeing, paddle boarding, and fishing; and,
WHEREAS, the Gulf of Mexico is more than just a pretty picture; it provides thousands of miles of beautiful, affordable shoreline living, and the Gulf Coast region is also one of the most culturally diverse regions in the nation with millions of residents tracing their heritage to Europe, Africa, Asia, and Latin America, and the Gulf Coast embraces a variety of traditions and invokes a strong sense of place; and,
WHEREAS, the Gulf region plays a vital role in our nation's defense and aerospace exploration; moreover, it is crucial to oil, gas, and energy production, as well as import and export trade; and,
WHEREAS, Gulf Coast tourism generates hundreds of billions of dollars each year, and if the Gulf area were a country, our economy would rank amon...
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