S.C.R. No. 95
                             SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
    1-1        WHEREAS, The largest concentration of Mexican free-tailed
    1-2  bats in the world exists at Bracken Cave in Comal County; and
    1-3        WHEREAS, This particular cave in Texas is known as a
    1-4  summertime nursery cave for a large population of migratory Mexican
    1-5  free-tailed bats whose numbers may exceed 20 million; and
    1-6        WHEREAS, Mother bats give birth to a single pup in June or
    1-7  early July; at night each mother travels long distances to find
    1-8  enough food, consuming approximately her own body weight in
    1-9  insects; and
   1-10        WHEREAS, At Bracken Cave, the 20 million bats there devour
   1-11  250 tons of insects; throughout the summer the number of insects
   1-12  including mosquitos and crop pests disposed of is immeasurable; all
   1-13  of this is accomplished without the use of pesticides; and
   1-14        WHEREAS, Increasingly, the importance of bats in a healthy
   1-15  ecosystem is being appreciated and protected; this is especially
   1-16  true in Texas; and
   1-17        WHEREAS, Bat Conservation International is an organization
   1-18  with headquarters in Austin that is dedicated to educating the
   1-19  public about bats and conservation of the species; its members are
   1-20  interested in having the Mexican free-tailed bat recognized as the
   1-21  "Official Flying Mammal" of the State of Texas; now, therefore, be
   1-22  it
   1-23        RESOLVED, That the 74th Legislature of the State of Texas
    2-1  hereby declare the Mexican free-tailed bat the "Official Flying
    2-2  Mammal" of the State of Texas; and, be it further
    2-3        RESOLVED, That a copy of this resolution be prepared for Bat
    2-4  Conservation International as an expression of the high regard of
    2-5  the Legislature of the State of Texas.