H.R. No. 731
                                  R E S O L U T I O N
    1-1        WHEREAS, The Texas House of Representatives is proud to
    1-2  commemorate the dedication of a Texas historical marker at the
    1-3  Clinton Cemetery, near Cuero, paying tribute to one of the original
    1-4  daughters of the Republic of Texas, Elizabeth Wilson Rice; and
    1-5        WHEREAS, Born in Ireland in 1805, this courageous woman
    1-6  immigrated to the United States around 1818 and settled in Ohio,
    1-7  where she  married Thomas McClure Rice in 1824; and
    1-8        WHEREAS, Well regarded by all who knew them as decent and
    1-9  upstanding citizens, the couple raised four fine children and
   1-10  established themselves as dedicated and hardworking members of the
   1-11  community; and
   1-12        WHEREAS, Inspired by General Sam Houston's impassioned call
   1-13  for volunteers, the Rices moved their young family to the Lone Star
   1-14  State in 1836 to fight for the freedom of Texas; and
   1-15        WHEREAS, Exhibiting the energy, grit, and determination that
   1-16  have made our state strong and great, these pioneer Texians settled
   1-17  and farmed near Little Brushy Creek in DeWitt County, where their
   1-18  fifth child was born in 1842; and
   1-19        WHEREAS, Later that year Mrs. Rice was widowed when her
   1-20  husband died while fighting at the Battle of Salado Creek; in 1848,
   1-21  he was posthumously honored for his meritorious service when he was
   1-22  enshrined with other Texian soldiers on Monument Hill in LaGrange,
   1-23  with Senator Sam Houston, of the newly annexed State of Texas
   1-24  officiating; and
    2-1        WHEREAS, Mrs. Rice marshalled her incredible fortitude,
    2-2  energy, and bravery to raise her family alone and continued to
    2-3  reside in DeWitt County until her passing in 1859, and she is
    2-4  believed to be buried in Clinton Cemetery; and
    2-5        WHEREAS, Mr. and Mrs. Rice were people of unsurpassed
    2-6  strength, courage, and compassion who made great sacrifices for the
    2-7  good of our state, and their legacy of heroism and bravery
    2-8  continues to serve as a source of pride and inspiration not only
    2-9  for their many descendants but for all the people of Texas; now,
   2-10  therefore, be it
   2-11        RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 74th Texas
   2-12  Legislature hereby commemorate the dedication of a Texas historical
   2-13  marker in memory of Elizabeth Wilson Rice at the Clinton Cemetery
   2-14  and commend the citizens of Cuero for their outstanding efforts to
   2-15  preserve an important part of Texas history.