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.