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.