02-01-10 Regular Meeting of the La Porte Development Corporation Board of Directors minutes

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The Texas has been and continues to be an icon of our state. In 1947, no one wanted to see our state's namesake ship suffer the inglorious fate that was visited on so many of her "obsolete" sister ships. The USS New York (BB-34), for example, was sunk by other U. S. Navy ships as a practice gunfire target in 1947. Many other ships that were deemed "obsolete" became targets for gunnery or torpedo practice or were simply sunk to help form new reef systems. We wanted better than that for our namesake vessel. For over sixty-one years the Texas and the San Jacinto Battlefield have been bound together in the public perception ofthe San Jacinto Battleground. The Texas is the constant reminder of the technological innovation and the heroism that is always needed to win freedom from tyranny. Q5. What would be the advantages of having the Texas dry-berthed instead of being relocated? A5. That question indicates a misunderstanding of the issue. The issue is not: dry-berth verses relocate. Mere relocation, even if possible, does not solve the core problem. To be properly preserved, she must be removed from the water. And relocation, without subsequent dry-berthing, only moves the problem; it doesn't solve the problem. Any relocation ofthe ship is an additional cost to the taxpayers of Texas. In November 2007, the voters of Texas approved $25 million in bonds for the specific purpose of dry-berthing the Texas right where she is. Relocation, beyond the two mile limit stated by the independent maritime engineers, places her at grave risk of a hull breach and, possibly, sinking. None of us want that. Dry-berthing the Texas where she has been for over sixty-one years will allow her to be properly displayed for the first time since she was built. Q6. What is the timeline for construction of a dry berth? A6. The Legislative Budget Board (LBB) authorized the issuance ofthe $25 million in voter-approved bonds on March 16,2009. Public hearings related to the issuance of the Bonds were conducted by the Texas Public Finance Authority TPFA) (April 2, 2009) and the Texas Bond Review Board (TBRB) (May 12, 2009). The TBRB, by a letter of May 21,2009, directed that the Bonds be sold and the proceeds from the sale be delivered to TPWD. It is helpful to note that the LBB letter of March 16, 2009 specifically stated that the $25 million in Bond financing was approved "contingent on the ship being dry berthed in its current location." Many parties with an interest in the Texas, the Battleground, the Monument, the Museum and the San Jacinto State Historic Park all placed their views on record with the Texas Legislature and its various Senate and House Committees, with the LBB, with the TPF A, and with the TBRB. After considering all points of view, the government of the state of Texas (which owns the ship) made a clear decision to fund the construction of a dry berth for the Texas at San Jacinto. The $25 million in Bonds were sold during the summer of2009. In compliance with Rider 33, the BTF delivered $2 million to the TPWD in late August 2009; the balance ofthe BTF's commitment to this project (an additional $2 million) will be delivered to TPWD by August 31, 2010. TPWD started 3