By: West S.R. No. 1307
1-1 SENATE RESOLUTION
1-2 WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas takes pleasure
1-3 in recognizing the members of the Williams-Livingston family on the
1-4 grand occasion of their family reunion, June 2 through 4, 1995; and
1-5 WHEREAS, Every year on the first Saturday in June,
1-6 the members of the Williams-Livingston family hold a reunion to
1-7 celebrate their heritage and to commemorate the birth of
1-8 Mamie Elizabeth "Mama Mae" Williams; and
1-9 WHEREAS, Over 200 family members invite friends from across
1-10 Texas to celebrate their love for their family and community; and
1-11 WHEREAS, Earliest family history reveals that the family
1-12 of Charles and Caroline Livingston arrived in the Freestone County,
1-13 Texas, area in the early 1800s; and
1-14 WHEREAS, Charles Livingston's family moved from Virginia as
1-15 freed slaves to the Freestone County area known as Cotton Gin, Texas;
1-16 they sharecropped on the area farms; and
1-17 WHEREAS, Caroline Livingston's family moved from Alabama as
1-18 freed slaves to the Freestone County area of Kirvin, Texas; arriving
1-19 in Texas in covered wagons, on horseback, and walking, they settled
1-20 on the farm of Alfred Carter in order to work his land; and
1-21 WHEREAS, Caroline and Charles Livingston supported their
1-22 community and were instrumental in the establishment of the Shiloh
1-23 Baptist Church, Texas' oldest Primitive Baptist Church, and Woods
2-1 Chapel Baptist Church; they also helped to create a public school
2-2 system for the education of their children and the children of the
2-3 surrounding communities; and
2-4 WHEREAS, The Williams-Livingston branch of the family stems
2-5 from a daughter born to Caroline and Charles, Elizabeth Livingston,
2-6 born July 2, 1866, who married Austin Williams, a freed slave from
2-7 Tennessee; they were the parents of 10 children, one of whom was
2-8 Mamie Elizabeth "Mama Mae" Williams, born June 1, 1889; and
2-9 WHEREAS, Mamie Elizabeth "Mama Mae" Williams was the
2-10 matriarch of the Williams-Livingston family until October 13, 1987,
2-11 when she died at the age of 98; and
2-12 WHEREAS, She was the mother of four daughters who moved
2-13 with their families to other parts of Texas, including Dallas, where
2-14 many of the Williams-Livingston family members reside and work today;
2-15 and
2-16 WHEREAS, The Williams-Livingston family members are
2-17 successful men and women who have contributed greatly to their
2-18 communities through their leadership, professionalism, and concern
2-19 for others; and
2-20 WHEREAS, They believe strongly in traditional values, are
2-21 productive members of their societies, and are exemplary citizens
2-22 who instill the virtues of love and hard work in their children;
2-23 and
2-24 WHEREAS, The Williams-Livingston yearly reunion is a
2-25 manifestation of their belief in family unity, loyalty, and
3-1 pride in one's heritage; now, therefore, be it
3-2 RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas,
3-3 74th Legislature, hereby extend to the members of the
3-4 Williams-Livingston family best wishes for a joyous and
3-5 memorable family reunion and declare Saturday, June 3, 1995,
3-6 as Williams-Livingston Day in Texas; and, be it further
3-7 RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared for
3-8 the family as a memento of this special occasion.
3-9 ______________________________________
3-10 President of the Senate
3-11 I hereby certify that the above
3-12 Resolution was adopted by the Senate
3-13 on May 28, 1995.
3-14 ______________________________________
3-15 Secretary of the Senate
3-16 ______________________________________
3-17 Member, Texas Senate