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.