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