By:  Harris                                            S.R. No. 255
    1-1                           SENATE RESOLUTION
    1-2        WHEREAS, The Republic of Texas became the 28th state of the
    1-3  United States of America on December 29, 1845, an event that has
    1-4  become known as the "Annexation of Texas," and was an event of
    1-5  significance in the development of the United States as a world
    1-6  power; and
    1-7        WHEREAS, The final series of diplomatic steps that led to the
    1-8  annexation of Texas began on February 28, 1845, with the adoption
    1-9  by the Congress of the United States of a Joint Resolution offering
   1-10  annexation to the Republic of Texas; and
   1-11        WHEREAS, The year 1845 saw the occurrence in Texas of numerous
   1-12  steps necessary to accomplish annexation, including the calling of
   1-13  a special session of the Congress of the Republic of Texas, the
   1-14  calling of a convention to write a state constitution, and a
   1-15  referendum of the people of Texas; and
   1-16        WHEREAS, On December 29, 1845, President Polk signed the act
   1-17  that merged the Lone Star into the 27 other stars that adorned the
   1-18  flag of the United States of America, thus ending a dramatic struggle
   1-19  whose outcome had remained uncertain for the past 10 years; and
   1-20        WHEREAS, In a brief but historic ceremony on February 19, 1846,
   1-21  the Texas Flag of the Republic was lowered and replaced by the Stars
   1-22  and Stripes; President Anson Jones handed over his authority to the
   1-23  newly elected governor, J. Pinckney Henderson, and delivered his
    2-1  farewell address, ending most eloquently:  "The final act in this
    2-2  great drama is now performed; the Republic of Texas is no more"; and
    2-3        WHEREAS, Texas has played a unique and prominent role in the
    2-4  development of our nation since 1845; Texans are proud of their
    2-5  magnificent contributions to the emergence of our nation into a
    2-6  democratic republic that has exerted tremendous influence throughout
    2-7  the world; and
    2-8        WHEREAS, The year marking the 150th anniversary of Texas
    2-9  Statehood will commence on February 28, 1995, and will continue
   2-10  until year's end so that all the citizens of Texas may commemorate
   2-11  this momentous turning point in the history of our state; now,
   2-12  therefore, be it
   2-13        RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas,
   2-14  74th Legislature, hereby declare 1995 to be the Year of the
   2-15  Sesquicentennial of Texas Statehood beginning on this day,
   2-16  February 28, 1995; and, be it further
   2-17        RESOLVED, That the year 1995 be a year of celebration for the
   2-18  people of Texas.
   2-19                               ______________________________________
   2-20                                       President of the Senate
   2-21                                    I hereby certify that the above
   2-22                               Resolution was adopted by the Senate
   2-23                               on February 16, 1995.
   2-24                               ______________________________________
   2-25                                       Secretary of the Senate
    3-1                               ______________________________________
    3-2                                        Member, Texas Senate