1-1 1 1-2 SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 288 1-3 WHEREAS, The Texas Kickapoo Federal Recognition Act was 1-4 signed into law on January 8, 1983, by President Ronald Reagan; 1-5 and 1-6 WHEREAS, The members of the Kickapoo Traditional Tribe 1-7 of Texas are the caretakers of a medal of peace given to their 1-8 ancestors by President George Washington recognizing them as 1-9 the owners of all the lands and assuring them help and protection 1-10 by the federal government; and 1-11 WHEREAS, The many treaties in which the Kickapoo Nation has 1-12 participated, including the Treaties of 1796, 1803, 1809, 1832, 1-13 1854, and 1863, indicate that the nation has had an important role 1-14 in American history; and 1-15 WHEREAS, Evidence of the Tribe is manifest in 1-16 geographical names throughout the United States; the name 1-17 of the Mississippi River is derived from Misidipua, a Kickapoo 1-18 word meaning the greatest of all rivers; Chicago is a derivative 1-19 of a brave Kickapoo warrior's name, Sikakua, who was killed in 1-20 combat in the city's area; the name of New York was taken from 1-21 the name of a Kickapoo maiden, Nuihakua; and 1-22 WHEREAS, The members of the Kickapoo Traditional Tribe of 1-23 Texas have maintained their language, culture, and traditions, and 1-24 most members are full-blooded Kickapoos, in spite of insurmountable 2-1 odds throughout the years; and 2-2 WHEREAS, The First Lady, Hillary Rodham Clinton, has 2-3 launched her project "Save America's Treasures" and has pleaded 2-4 with all communities to protect and preserve all historical data, 2-5 artifacts, buildings, and places for future generations; and 2-6 WHEREAS, The Kickapoo Traditional Tribe of Texas is rich 2-7 in historical data that even precedes the beginning of this great 2-8 nation of ours; and 2-9 WHEREAS, The members of the Kickapoo Traditional Tribe of 2-10 Texas chose Eagle Pass, in Maverick County, to be their homeland 2-11 as they migrated as laborers to and from the fields throughout 2-12 this country; and 2-13 WHEREAS, The Kickapoos, up through the early 1980s, lived 2-14 underneath the International Bridge in blighted conditions, with 2-15 only one water spigot for the entire tribe, no restroom facilities, 2-16 and no available schools; and 2-17 WHEREAS, Due to the leadership of Makateonenodua and the 2-18 Tribal Council, federal recognition was obtained for the Tribe 2-19 on January 8, 1983; and 2-20 WHEREAS, This date was pivotal toward the improvement of 2-21 living conditions for the Kickapoos; and 2-22 WHEREAS, This Texas Kickapoo Federal Recognition Act allowed 2-23 for a casino and thus economic opportunity through employment for 2-24 the Kickapoos, the City of Eagle Pass, and the surrounding region; 2-25 now, therefore, be it 2-26 RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 3-1 76th Legislature, hereby recognize the many contributions 3-2 the Kickapoos have made to our state and designate January 8 3-3 this year and forever as Kickapoo Nation Day in honor of the 3-4 Kickapoo Traditional Tribe of Texas, Makateonenodua, and the 3-5 Tribal Council, for their fierce determination to preserve their 3-6 ancestral ties; and, be it further 3-7 RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared for the 3-8 Kickapoo Traditional Tribe of Texas. 3-9 Madla 3-10 ______________________________________ 3-11 President of the Senate 3-12 I hereby certify that the above 3-13 Resolution was adopted by the Senate 3-14 on March 1, 1999. 3-15 ______________________________________ 3-16 Secretary of the Senate 3-17 ______________________________________ 3-18 Member, Texas Senate