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