By: Hunter, Bob H.C.R. No. 126 73R8691 BNL-D CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 1-1 WHEREAS, In 1995, Texans will commemorate the 150th 1-2 anniversary of Texas' admission to the union with great pride and 1-3 patriotic celebrations, paying homage both to statehood and to the 1-4 unique history and bold traditions that are our heritage; and 1-5 WHEREAS, Texas was founded by pioneers who were willing to 1-6 endure any hardship and accept any challenge, for they believed 1-7 that the fight for freedom was a noble and just cause; after 1-8 winning their freedom in 1836, these settlers established the 1-9 Republic of Texas, thus making Texas the only state in this country 1-10 to exist for nearly a decade as a free and independent nation; and 1-11 WHEREAS, Texas joined the union in 1845 as the 28th state, 1-12 and as part of the annexation agreement, the United States included 1-13 several unique terms for statehood; Texas entered the union as a 1-14 state, not a territory, was the only state allowed to retain its 1-15 public domain, and preserved a right to subdivide into additional 1-16 states; and 1-17 WHEREAS, Texans wisely chose to keep the Lone Star State 1-18 intact, however, and in doing so, they ensured that future 1-19 generations would enjoy a land of immense beauty and contrast; the 1-20 rugged terrain offers more geographical diversity than many 1-21 nations, and from the mountains of West Texas to the lush Gulf 1-22 Coast, from the arid plains of the Panhandle to the fertile Rio 1-23 Grande Valley, Texas provides a sweeping panorama of the American 1-24 landscape in all its many forms; and 2-1 WHEREAS, Similarly, the people of Texas represent a blend of 2-2 cultures and ethnicities; combining the food, traditions, and 2-3 languages of Mexico, Spain, Germany, France, and Sweden, as well as 2-4 many other nations, Texans forged a unique bond and created a 2-5 distinct Texas culture that celebrates the diversity of its people; 2-6 and 2-7 WHEREAS, For many Americans, Texas remains the last frontier, 2-8 a place where wide open spaces and the Alamo echo the spirit and 2-9 adventure of the past, while microchip industries and NASA 2-10 headquarters herald the promise of the future; the spirit of Texas 2-11 encompasses those values that Americans hold most dear, such as 2-12 honor, integrity, courage, and liberty; and 2-13 WHEREAS, As Texans mark 150 years of statehood, they will 2-14 celebrate this event with much pride and joy throughout the Lone 2-15 Star State; the good people of Texas invite all Americans to join 2-16 in commemorating a century and a half of Texas history and culture, 2-17 for this auspicious event is of national as well as statewide 2-18 significance; now, therefore, be it 2-19 RESOLVED, That the 73rd Legislature of the State of Texas, 2-20 Regular Session, 1993, hereby request the United States Postal 2-21 Service to issue a commemorative postage stamp during 1995 in 2-22 recognition of Texas' 150 years of statehood; and, be it further 2-23 RESOLVED, That the Texas secretary of state forward an 2-24 official copy of this resolution to the postmaster general as an 2-25 expression of the sentiment of the Texas Legislature.