1-1 1 1-2 SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 526 1-3 WHEREAS, April is the month in which the Confederate States 1-4 of America began and ended a four-year struggle for states' rights, 1-5 individual freedom, and local government control; and 1-6 WHEREAS, The State of Texas declared herself to be a free 1-7 and independent state and subsequently joined the Confederate 1-8 States of America of which it was a member state from 1861 until 1-9 1865; and 1-10 WHEREAS, The battlefields, monuments, museums, and other 1-11 historical sites to be found in Texas allow our citizens and 1-12 visitors to remember, study, and appreciate the men and women 1-13 of that unique time in the history of Texas and the nation; and 1-14 WHEREAS, The flag of the State of Texas was carried by Texas 1-15 Confederate soldiers in every major battle of the War Between the 1-16 States and the state contributed over 115,000 soldiers and sailors 1-17 to the service of the Confederate States of America; and 1-18 WHEREAS, During the period of reconciliation, Texas 1-19 Confederate veterans became instrumental in the continued 1-20 development of our state and local governments and our 1-21 institutions of higher learning; and 1-22 WHEREAS, We honor our past and draw from it the courage, 1-23 strength, and wisdom to go forward into the future together as 1-24 Texans and Americans; and 2-1 WHEREAS, The State of Texas has long recognized her 2-2 Confederate history and the leaders who made sacrifices on 2-3 behalf of the Confederate cause; and 2-4 WHEREAS, The Texans who served in the War Between the States 2-5 are memorialized in almost every county in the state, and many 2-6 cities and counties in the State of Texas bear the name of 2-7 Confederate veterans; and 2-8 WHEREAS, It is important for all Texans to reflect upon our 2-9 state's past and to respect the devotion of her Confederate leaders, 2-10 soldiers, and citizens to the cause of Southern liberty; and 2-11 WHEREAS, In years since the war, the morally abhorrent 2-12 practice of slavery has in the minds of many Texans become the 2-13 prime motivation of Southern soldiers, despite the fact that 98 2-14 percent of Texas Confederate soldiers never owned a slave and never 2-15 fought to defend slavery; and 2-16 WHEREAS, Politically correct revisionists would have Texas 2-17 children believe that their Confederate ancestors fought for 2-18 slavery when in fact most Texans joined the Confederate armed 2-19 forces to defend their homes, their families, and their proud 2-20 heritage as Texans; and 2-21 WHEREAS, Confederate Memorial Day in April is a time for all 2-22 Texans to honor those men and women who died for Texas, and also 2-23 all the Texans who came afterward and benefitted from their legacy 2-24 of honor and devotion to our state; now, therefore, be it 2-25 RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 2-26 76th Legislature, hereby recognize April as Confederate History 3-1 and Heritage Month in the State of Texas and encourage all Texas 3-2 schools and citizens to join in efforts to become more knowledgeable 3-3 of the role of the Confederate States of America in the history of 3-4 our country. 3-5 Jackson 3-6 ______________________________________ 3-7 President of the Senate 3-8 I hereby certify that the above 3-9 Resolution was adopted by the Senate 3-10 on March 30, 1999. 3-11 ______________________________________ 3-12 Secretary of the Senate 3-13 ______________________________________ 3-14 Member, Texas Senate