By: Schofield, et al. (Senate Sponsor - Lucio) H.C.R. No. 67
         (In the Senate - Received from the House May 17, 2021;
  May 17, 2021, read first time and referred to Committee on
  Administration; May 26, 2021, reported favorably by the following
  vote:  Yeas 6, Nays 0; May 26, 2021, sent to printer.)
Click here to see the committee vote
 
 
HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
 
  WHEREAS, The many and diverse contributions made by
  Tejanos--Texans of Spanish, Mexican, African, and indigenous
  descent--have been fundamental to the history and heritage of Texas
  for more than three centuries; and
         WHEREAS, Tejano men and women were the founders of the
  state's oldest permanent settlements, including the cities of San
  Antonio, Nacogdoches, Victoria, Goliad, and El Paso, and they were
  the first to name many of our state's waterways and natural
  features; and
         WHEREAS, Legendary Tejanos of the Navarro, Ruiz, Menchaca,
  Arocha, and Seguin families played an integral part in the effort to
  settle Texas and negotiated peace with the Comanches and other
  indigenous peoples; on April 6, 1813, Tejanos were the first
  residents to declare for an independent Texas, and at the Battle of
  Medina that same year, they gave their lives in a bloody engagement
  with a Spanish royalist army that remains the deadliest clash in the
  history of Texas; moreover, in an act that was an important prelude
  to the Texas Revolution, Tejanos were the first to rise in defense
  of the Mexican Constitution of 1824, and such prominent figures as
  José Antonio Navarro and José Francisco Ruiz were signers of the
  Texas Declaration of Independence in 1836; and
         WHEREAS, Many Tejanos risked their lives and livelihood
  during the Texas Revolution, and its heroes include Gregorio
  Esparza and José Toribio Losoya, both of whom died at the Alamo, as
  well as members of their families, who were some of the few
  survivors of the battle; among the others who stepped forward in the
  fight for independence were the troops led by Plácido Benavides,
  who fought bravely across South Texas, and the men of Juan Seguín's
  company, who helped secure the decisive victory at the Battle of San
  Jacinto; later, Adina Emilia De Zavala led the effort to preserve
  historic structures at the Alamo so that the legacy of that battle
  and the entire revolution could be better appreciated by future
  generations; and
         WHEREAS, Devoted to the concepts of liberty and equality,
  numerous Tejanos were early and powerful advocates for free speech,
  freedom of the press, and public education in Texas; in the 20th
  century, that tradition was continued by such individuals as the
  journalist Jovita Idár, who called for women's suffrage and
  campaigned against lynching, the restaurateur and civic leader
  Felix Tijerina, who pushed for bilingual education, and attorney
  John J. Herrera, who won important legal cases related to school
  segregation, workplace discrimination, and other civil rights
  issues; and
         WHEREAS, Countless Tejanos have served with great
  distinction in our nation's military; the Medal of Honor, America's
  highest military commendation for valor, was awarded to seven
  Tejanos during World War II, two during the Korean War, and three
  during the Vietnam War; physician, activist, and World War II
  veteran Hector P. Garcia founded the American GI Forum of Texas to
  champion the rights of former Hispanic service members; and
         WHEREAS, The culture of the Lone Star State is inextricably
  linked with the contributions of Tejanos; they were the first to
  introduce rodeos, expert horsemanship, and the raising of longhorn
  cattle, which became central to the state's western identity; in
  regard to food, Tejanos combined the flavors and ingredients of
  Mexico and the United States to create Tex-Mex, the state's most
  iconic cuisine; Texas music is unimaginable without the
  contributions of such great Tejano artists as Lydia Mendoza, Flaco
  Jiménez, Rosita Fernández, and Selena, and the musical styles they
  helped popularize range from romantic ballads to corridos that tell
  stories of adventure and resistance; and
         WHEREAS, Throughout the state's history, Tejano men and women
  have been champions of social and political progress while exerting
  a tremendous influence on our way of life; deeply devoted to Texas,
  they have overcome injustice and discrimination to play an
  instrumental role in the epic saga of the Lone Star State, and it is
  indeed fitting that their contributions be officially honored; now,
  therefore, be it
         RESOLVED, That the 87th Legislature of the State of Texas
  hereby designate April 6 as Tejano Day, an observance that
  coincides with the date in 1813 when Tejano leaders issued the first
  declaration of Texas independence; and, be it further
         RESOLVED, That, in accordance with the provisions of Section
  391.004(d), Government Code, this designation remain in effect
  until the 10th anniversary of the date this resolution is finally
  passed by the legislature.
 
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