By: Luna S.R. No. 537
1-1 SENATE RESOLUTION
1-2 WHEREAS, The bicentennial year of the birth of
1-3 Jose Antonio Navarro will be commemorated with the display of
1-4 a life-size clay model of a statue to be cast as an enduring,
1-5 public tribute to the stateman's many accomplishments for Texas;
1-6 and
1-7 WHEREAS, One of the state's more eminent leaders and
1-8 influential citizens in Texas politics in the 19th century,
1-9 Jose Antonio Navarro represented San Antonio in elected office
1-10 when Texas sovereignty moved from Spain, to Mexico, to the
1-11 Republic of Texas, to the United States; and
1-12 WHEREAS, Born in San Antonio de Bexar on February 27, 1795,
1-13 Jose Antonio Navarro began his political experience during the
1-14 last years of Spanish rule; young Navarro witnessed the devastation
1-15 of San Antonio during the revolution and war for independence
1-16 against Spain; his family suffered with others who had supported
1-17 the insurgency; when Mexican rule was established,
1-18 Jose Antonio Navarro served as a representative at Saltillo in the
1-19 first legislature of the dual state of Coahuila y Texas; and
1-20 WHEREAS, A friend and associate of Stephen F. Austin,
1-21 Jose Antonio Navarro represented the interests not only of Texas
1-22 Mexicans, but members of Austin's colony as well; like most
1-23 San Antonio Tejano leaders, he believed that American colonization
2-1 would benefit Texas economically and provide security against
2-2 Indian attacks; and
2-3 WHEREAS, After 1824 Jose Antonio Navarro received land
2-4 grants in several counties owning more than 50,000 acres that he
2-5 handled as ranch properties in addition to his mercantile business,
2-6 and married Margarita de la Garza in 1825; and
2-7 WHEREAS, Elected senator in 1835 to represent the state in
2-8 the national Congress, Jose Antonio Navarro declined to go to
2-9 Mexico City because of the rising political unrest in Texas; and
2-10 WHEREAS, Jose Antonio Navarro is best known as a signer of
2-11 the Texas Declaration of Independence at Washington-on-the-Brazos,
2-12 but more important was his appointment to the committee that was
2-13 formed to write the constitution of the newly declared
2-14 Republic of Texas; and
2-15 WHEREAS, Elected to represent Bexar County in the House of
2-16 the Third Congress of the Republic in 1838, he was appointed as
2-17 a commissioner on the Santa Fe Expedition in 1841 by
2-18 Mirabeau B. Lamar and was subsequently imprisoned in Acordada
2-19 Prison and sentenced to death; and
2-20 WHEREAS, A true Texas patriot, Jose Antonio Navarro
2-21 refused all offers from Santa Ana to gain his freedom in exchange
2-22 for renouncing Texas; he eventually escaped while on parole and
2-23 returned to his ranch home in 1845; and
2-24 WHEREAS, A member of the 1845 State Constitutional
2-25 Convention, he spoke out strongly to ensure the rights of
3-1 Hispanic Texans under the new constitution and prevented the
3-2 disenfranchisement of Tejanos; and
3-3 WHEREAS, In 1861 Jose Antonio Navarro attended a meeting
3-4 in Austin to encourage secession and all four of his sons fought
3-5 in the Confederate Army; he died on January 13, 1871, and was
3-6 buried beside his wife in San Antonio; and
3-7 WHEREAS, Jose Antonio Navarro was a continuous force,
3-8 presence, and influence for democratic government in Texas for
3-9 more than 50 years, longer than any other Texan; his indomitable
3-10 courage, remarkable public career, and personal accomplishments
3-11 are truly worthy of legislative recognition; now, therefore, be it
3-12 RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas,
3-13 73rd Legislature, hereby encourage public support of the fund
3-14 raising for the life-size statue of Jose Antonio Navarro as a
3-15 bicentennial memorial to this remarkable Texas hero; and, be it
3-16 further
3-17 RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared as an
3-18 expression of the admiration and deep respect of the Texas Senate
3-19 for Jose Antonio Navarro.
3-20 _____________________________________
3-21 President of the Senate
3-22 I hereby certify that the
3-23 above Resolution was adopted by
3-24 the Senate on April 1, 1993.
3-25 _____________________________________
4-1 Secretary of the Senate
4-2 _____________________________________
4-3 Member, Texas Senate