88S30841 EME-D
 
  By: Morales of Maverick H.R. No. 192
 
 
 
R E S O L U T I O N
         WHEREAS, The November 2023 International Indigenous and
  Native American Indian Gathering in Del Rio, hosted by the Warren
  Perryman Foundation for Native American Research, provides a
  fitting opportunity to recognize a valued member of the
  organization, Rafaela Fay Lozano Brown; and
         WHEREAS, A historian, matriarch, and head elder of the United
  Warrior Band of the Seminole Nation, Rafaela Brown is a descendant
  of the John Horse Band of the Black Seminole tribe, which originated
  in Florida during Spanish rule; African Americans fleeing slavery
  found a haven there and assimilated with the Seminole people; in the
  mid-19th century, John Horse conducted groups of Seminoles along
  the Trail of Tears to Indian Territory and gained fame as both
  warrior and diplomat; he went on to lead a Seminole group to Mexico
  in search of freedom, and his success in fending off bandits and
  raiders earned him the rank of captain in the Mexican Army; and
         WHEREAS, The U.S. Army began recruiting Black Seminoles from
  Mexico to protect the Texas frontier, and in 1870, it established
  the Seminole Negro Indian Scouts; based at Fort Duncan and Fort
  Clark, the scouts engaged in 26 campaigns, and several received the
  Medal of Honor for their actions; many went on to serve in Buffalo
  Soldier regiments; and
         WHEREAS, Dedicated to her family's Black Seminole scout
  heritage, Ms. Brown has followed in the footsteps of her mother, the
  late Alice Fay Lozano, who contributed to books on tribal history;
  Ms. Brown is an educator by profession and uses her skills to raise
  awareness of the role played by Black Seminoles from the pioneer
  days onward; during the lifetimes of Chief William "Dub" Warrior
  and his wife, Ethel, she traveled with them to St. Augustine,
  Florida, to share her knowledge; and
         WHEREAS, Rafaela Brown has demonstrated an exceptional
  commitment to the remarkable legacy of the Black Seminole Nation,
  and she is indeed worthy of special recognition; now, therefore, be
  it
         RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 88th Texas
  Legislature, 3rd Called Session, hereby honor Rafaela Fay Lozano
  Brown for her contributions as a member of the Warren Perryman
  Foundation for Native American Research and extend to her sincere
  best wishes for the future; and, be it further
         RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
  prepared for Ms. Brown as an expression of high regard by the Texas
  House of Representatives.