By Coleman                                            H.C.R. No. 81
       74R5419 CCK-D
                              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.