R E S O L U T I O N

 1-1           WHEREAS, The Native American tribes who were the first Texans

 1-2     have enriched our shared heritage with their culture and

 1-3     traditions, and the historic role of the Tigua Indians of Ysleta

 1-4     del Sur Pueblo in the state's development is indeed worthy of

 1-5     special praise and recognition at this time; and

 1-6           WHEREAS, Descendants of the Tiwa Pueblo Indian tribe in

 1-7     Isleta, New Mexico, the Tiguas were displaced during the great

 1-8     Pueblo uprising against the Spanish in 1680, and on finding

 1-9     themselves separated from their homeland and compatriots, they

1-10     settled in the area now known as Ysleta del Sur Pueblo; and

1-11           WHEREAS, On arriving at their new dwelling place, the Tiguas

1-12     were directed to build a mission by their Spanish conquerors, and

1-13     the Ysleta Mission, the oldest in Texas, still stands today, in

1-14     continuous use since its completion in 1682; the Tiguas still

1-15     revere St. Anthony as their patron saint, and the Feast of St.

1-16     Anthony every June 13 remains the tribe's principal religious

1-17     celebration; and

1-18           WHEREAS, The Tiguas have figured in more than one colorful

1-19     incident of Texas history, and their tracking skills and intimate

1-20     knowledge of the countryside made them invaluable scouts for such

1-21     legendary frontier figures as the Texas Rangers and the 10th U.S.

1-22     Cavalry, the black regiment known as the "buffalo soldiers"; and

1-23           WHEREAS, Although through the years displacement from their

1-24     land has threatened their way of life, the Tiguas take fierce pride

 2-1     in their vital and vibrant cultural heritage, and such diverse

 2-2     aspects of Tigua daily life as their architecture, their dances,

 2-3     and their form of tribal government are the same as those in use at

 2-4     the time of their first contact with Europeans; and

 2-5           WHEREAS, The Tigua Indians have made immeasurable

 2-6     contributions to the history of the Lone Star State, and it is

 2-7     indeed fitting at this time to recognize these remarkable Texans;

 2-8     now, therefore, be it

 2-9           RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 75th Texas

2-10     Legislature hereby honor the Tigua Indians of Ysleta del Sur Pueblo

2-11     and extend to them sincere best wishes for success and happiness in

2-12     the future.

                                                                       Serna

                                                                      Moreno

                                                                    Haggerty

                                                                     Pickett

                                                                      Chavez

                                             _______________________________

                                                   Speaker of the House

               I certify that H.R. No. 853 was adopted by the House on May

         23, 1997, by a non-record vote.

                                             _______________________________

                                                 Chief Clerk of the House