R E S O L U T I O N
1-1 WHEREAS, The San Fernando Cathedral in San Antonio enjoys a
1-2 long and distinguished history, and it is a privilege to join the
1-3 people in this city in recognizing this remarkable building; and
1-4 WHEREAS, Constructed in 1738, the San Fernando Cathedral is
1-5 the oldest existing structure in San Antonio and the State of
1-6 Texas; moreover, the church holds the distinction of having the
1-7 oldest cathedral sanctuary in the United States; and
1-8 WHEREAS, Located on the west side of La Plaza de las Islas,
1-9 the cathedral has been the site of many historical events; the
1-10 troops of General Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna of Mexico hoisted
1-11 their flag atop its bell tower in 1836, and James Bowie and Ursula
1-12 de Veramendi were married there; and
1-13 WHEREAS, In addition, Colonel Juan Seguin, who took control
1-14 of San Antonio after Texas won its independence, was purported to
1-15 have buried the remains of the defenders of the Alamo under a
1-16 sanctuary railing in the cathedral; today, there is a marble coffin
1-17 in the back of the church with an inscription honoring these brave
1-18 Texans that has been visited by countless people; and
1-19 WHEREAS, Throughout the years, important dignitaries and
1-20 world leaders have visited this venerable house of worship,
1-21 including Pope John Paul II and former United States President
1-22 Lyndon Baines Johnson; and
1-23 WHEREAS, More than 4,000 people attend and celebrate weekend
1-24 masses held at the cathedral, and approximately 900 baptisms, 100
2-1 weddings, 70 funerals, and numerous other services are performed at
2-2 the cathedral each year; and
2-3 WHEREAS, Currently undergoing renovation, this magnificent
2-4 building remains an architectural marvel and its classic
2-5 simplicity, unspoiled beauty, and ongoing traditions are an
2-6 embodiment of San Antonio's rich heritage; and
2-7 WHEREAS, Named in honor of Saint Ferdinand, the cathedral
2-8 continues to serve as a cultural, historical, civic, and artistic
2-9 center for San Antonio, and it is most appropriate to pay tribute
2-10 to this historic building at this time; now, therefore, be it
2-11 RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 77th Texas
2-12 Legislature hereby recognize the San Fernando Cathedral as the
2-13 oldest existing structure in San Antonio and the State of Texas and
2-14 encourage its citizens to visit this treasured Texas landmark and
2-15 to generously support the restoration project; and, be it further
2-16 RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
2-17 prepared for the San Fernando Cathedral as an expression of high
2-18 regard by the Texas House of Representatives.
Puente
Laney Goodman Merritt
Alexander Goolsby Miller
Allen Gray Moreno of Harris
Averitt Green Moreno of El Paso
Bailey Grusendorf Morrison
Berman Gutierrez Mowery
Bonnen Haggerty Naishtat
Bosse Hamric Najera
Brimer Hardcastle Nixon
Brown of Kaufman Hartnett Noriega
Brown of Brazos Hawley Oliveira
Burnam Heflin Olivo
Callegari Hilbert Pickett
Capelo Hilderbran Pitts
Carter Hill Puente
Chavez Hinojosa Ramsay
Chisum Hochberg Rangel
Christian Hodge Raymond
Clark Homer Reyna of Bexar
Coleman Hope Reyna of Dallas
Cook Hopson Ritter
Corte Howard Sadler
Counts Hunter Salinas
Crabb Hupp Seaman
Craddick Isett Shields
Crownover Janek Smith
Danburg Jones of Lubbock Smithee
Davis of Harris Jones of Bexar Solis
Davis of Dallas Jones of Dallas Solomons
Delisi Junell Swinford
Denny Keel Talton
Deshotel Keffer Telford
Driver King of Parker Thompson
Dukes King of Uvalde Tillery
Dunnam Kitchen Truitt
Dutton Kolkhorst Turner of Coleman
Edwards Krusee Turner of Harris
Ehrhardt Kuempel Uher
Eiland Lewis of Tarrant Uresti
Elkins Lewis of Orange Villarreal
Ellis Longoria Walker
Farabee Luna West
Farrar McCall Williams
Flores McClendon Wilson
Gallego McReynolds Wise
Garcia Madden Wohlgemuth
George Marchant Wolens
Geren Martinez Fischer Woolley
Giddings Maxey Yarbrough
Glaze Menendez Zbranek
_______________________________
Speaker of the House
I certify that H.R. No. 273 was adopted by the House on
February 14, 2001, by a non-record vote.
_______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House