H.C.R. No. 81 HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 1-1 WHEREAS, African Americans have contributed significantly to 1-2 the greatness that is Texas, enriching the diverse cultural 1-3 heritage on which our state prospers and thrives; and 1-4 WHEREAS, The Capitol grounds are adorned by numerous shrines 1-5 that pay homage to the people, ideals, and events that Texans hold 1-6 dear; these displays are poignant reminders of the struggles that 1-7 Texans have endured in the past and the challenges that we face 1-8 today; and 1-9 WHEREAS, As Texas enters the 21st century, it is appropriate 1-10 to offer a tribute to the African-American political leaders who 1-11 have helped to shape our past and will continue to mold our future; 1-12 and 1-13 WHEREAS, One hundred years ago, the first era of such 1-14 leadership closed with the departure from the stage of a select 1-15 group of African-American legislators; serving from 1870 to 1895, 1-16 they paved the way for their modern counterparts who sit today in 1-17 the Texas House of Representatives and Senate; and 1-18 WHEREAS, It is fitting to honor these distinguished forebears 1-19 through centennial projects that will convey to African-American 1-20 children the grandeur of their heritage and simultaneously 1-21 acknowledge the important and valuable resource that Texas has in 1-22 its African-American citizens; now, therefore, be it 1-23 RESOLVED, That the 74th Legislature of the State of Texas 1-24 hereby recognize Black History Month, February 1995, and provide 2-1 for the publication of a volume and the assembly of an exhibit on 2-2 the history of 19th-century African-American Texas legislators; 2-3 and, be it further 2-4 RESOLVED, That the State Preservation Board, in conjunction 2-5 with the Institute of Texan Cultures, the Texas State Library and 2-6 Archives Commission, and state universities, cooperatively research 2-7 and catalog the contributions of those legislators; and, be it 2-8 further 2-9 RESOLVED, That they make their findings available to the 2-10 public in the form of a published volume on the subject and the 2-11 preparation of an exhibit to open in the Capitol February 1, 1996, 2-12 coinciding with next year's celebration of Black History Month; 2-13 and, be it further 2-14 RESOLVED, That the State Preservation Board establish an 2-15 advisory committee of 10 Texans to assist in the project, plan the 2-16 historical volume, design the exhibit, and raise required funds; 2-17 and, be it further 2-18 RESOLVED, That the advisory committee be composed of two 2-19 members of the Texas Senate, two members of the Texas House of 2-20 Representatives, and six cultural and business leaders of the state 2-21 with expertise in African-American history, with a staff member or 2-22 representative of the State Preservation Board to serve as 2-23 committee liaison; and, be it further 2-24 RESOLVED, That the publication and exhibit be funded by 2-25 private donations raised by the advisory committee, and that 2-26 requisite funds be transferred to the State Preservation Board when 2-27 full funding has been achieved; and, be it further 3-1 RESOLVED, That the State Preservation Board review and 3-2 approve the historical volume and exhibit, and that the board 3-3 select and manage an appropriate exhibit site in the Capitol; and, 3-4 be it further 3-5 RESOLVED, That the secretary of state forward official copies 3-6 of this resolution to the chief executives of the State 3-7 Preservation Board, the Institute of Texan Cultures, the Texas 3-8 State Library and Archives Commission, and the Texas Higher 3-9 Education Coordinating Board.