H.R. No. 83 R E S O L U T I O N 1-1 WHEREAS, Texans of Czech descent have made significant and 1-2 lasting contributions to our state's prosperity, heritage, and 1-3 culture; and 1-4 WHEREAS, Among the many Czechs who distinguished themselves 1-5 fighting for the cause of freedom during the Texas Revolution were 1-6 George Fisher and Frederick Lemsky, both of whom demonstrated 1-7 unflinching bravery in their service to the fledgling republic; and 1-8 WHEREAS, Beginning in the late 1840s Czech settlers came in 1-9 increasing numbers to the Lone Star State; gravitating to the rich 1-10 soil of the blacklands and upper coastal plains belts from Denton 1-11 to Brownsville, these industrious pioneers created close-knit 1-12 communities that kept intact their unique old-world customs while 1-13 adapting to the challenges of a new land; and 1-14 WHEREAS, Czechs are renowned for their exemplary work ethic 1-15 and love of democracy and have established standards of excellence 1-16 as both private and public citizens to which all can aspire; and 1-17 WHEREAS, The second largest ethnic group in Texas, 1-18 individuals of Czech descent now number nearly one million; Czech 1-19 also is the state's third most popular spoken language and was 1-20 introduced into the curriculum of The University of Texas in 1915; 1-21 and 1-22 WHEREAS, For generations, Texans of Czech extraction have 1-23 made many notable contributions, both cultural and historic, to the 1-24 betterment of our state, and their many accomplishments in this 2-1 regard are truly worthy of special legislative recognition; now, 2-2 therefore, be it 2-3 RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 74th Texas 2-4 Legislature hereby recognize the last full week of October as Czech 2-5 heritage week in the State of Texas.