By Gallego                                            H.C.R. No. 99
         76R7026 WMS-D                           
                             HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
 1-1           WHEREAS, The Kickapoo Indian tribe has played an important
 1-2     role in the history of Texas and its culture is a valuable asset to
 1-3     the state and nation; and
 1-4           WHEREAS, Possessing a rich historical and cultural lineage,
 1-5     the Kickapoos can trace their tribe's beginnings to a time
 1-6     predating the existence of the State of Texas and the United States
 1-7     of America; and
 1-8           WHEREAS, The tribe's influence is evident throughout much of
 1-9     the country, such as in the naming of the Mississippi River,
1-10     derived from Misidipua, a Kickapoo word meaning "greatest of all
1-11     rivers," or Chicago, a derivative of a brave Kickapoo warrior's
1-12     name, Sikakua; and
1-13           WHEREAS, Caretakers of a medal of peace given to their
1-14     ancestors by President George Washington, the Kickapoo Traditional
1-15     Tribe of Texas has painstakingly preserved its language, culture,
1-16     and traditions, and most members of the tribe maintain their
1-17     full-blooded heritage; and
1-18           WHEREAS, Until the 1980s many Kickapoos lived underneath the
1-19     international bridge between Piedras Negras, Coahuila, and Eagle
1-20     Pass, but through the leadership of tribal chairman Makateonenodua
1-21     and the members of the Tribal Council, the Kickapoos obtained
1-22     federal recognition on January 8, 1983; and
1-23           WHEREAS, The Kickapoo Traditional Tribe of Texas chose Eagle
1-24     Pass as its staging ground and homeland, and the City of Eagle Pass
 2-1     declared January 8 as Kickapoo Nation Day in honor of the tribe and
 2-2     Makateonenodua, its tribal chairman; and
 2-3           WHEREAS, The Kickapoo tribe has maintained a proud history of
 2-4     independence and self-reliance spanning several centuries, and it
 2-5     is indeed appropriate that this remarkable people be honored at
 2-6     this time; now, therefore, be it
 2-7           RESOLVED, That the 76th Legislature of the State of Texas
 2-8     hereby pay tribute to the members of the Kickapoo Traditional Tribe
 2-9     of Texas for its people's notable contributions to the history of
2-10     the Lone Star State and their determination to preserve their
2-11     ancestral legacy; and, be it further
2-12           RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
2-13     prepared for the Kickapoo Traditional Tribe of Texas as an
2-14     expression of high regard by the Texas House of Representatives and
2-15     Senate.