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SENATE RESOLUTION
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WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas is pleased to |
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welcome the proud members of the Alabama-Coushatta Tribe of Texas |
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who are gathering in Austin to celebrate Alabama-Coushatta Day at |
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the State Capitol on February 7, 2023; and |
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WHEREAS, One of three federally recognized tribes in |
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Texas, the Alabama-Coushatta Tribe was originally two tribes, |
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the Alibamus and the Koasatis, who had a similar culture but |
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lived in adjacent lands in Alabama; starting in the 1760s, the |
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two tribes began to migrate westward into what is now East Texas; |
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and |
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WHEREAS, In 1813, the tribes fought on the side of the |
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revolutionaries in the Mexican War of Independence from Spain, |
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and the new Mexican government granted them tracts of land in |
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gratitude for their service; two decades later, Sam Houston |
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granted the tribes land between the Neches and Sabine Rivers in |
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exchange for not siding with Mexico during the Texas Revolution; |
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members of the tribes served as guides for the Texan army and |
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helped to feed refugees who had fled from Santa Anna's troops; |
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and |
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WHEREAS, Today, there are 1,200 members of the |
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Alabama-Coushatta, half of whom live on the reservation's 10,200 |
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acres in the Big Thicket of East Texas; the tribe is a fully |
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functioning sovereign government and offers a full complement of |
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health and human services in addition to providing 250 jobs that |
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employ teachers, doctors, and peace officers; tribe members also |
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maintain a health clinic, a day-care center, a solid waste |
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facility, three churches, and a number of retail shops; and |
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WHEREAS, Home to one of the most scenic recreational areas |
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in the Lone Star State, the reservation is visited every year by |
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thousands of people who enjoy the fine opportunities for camping, |
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hiking, and picnicking; the reservation is also home to the |
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Naskila Gaming facility and an annual powwow and music festival; |
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and |
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WHEREAS, Celebrating their rich heritage as they work to |
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build a better tomorrow, the people of the Alabama-Coushatta |
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Tribe may indeed take great pride in their unique contributions |
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to the history and culture of Texas; now, therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 88th |
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Legislature, hereby recognize February 7, 2023, as |
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Alabama-Coushatta Tribe of Texas Day at the State Capitol and |
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extend a warm welcome to the visiting members of the tribe; and be |
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it further |
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RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared in |
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honor of this special occasion. |