By Pitts H.R. No. 383 77R8081 MMS-D R E S O L U T I O N 1-1 WHEREAS, The celebration of Black History Month in February 1-2 provides an occasion to recognize the rich cultural heritage of 1-3 African Americans and the significant contributions that African 1-4 Americans have made and are making in the State of Texas; and 1-5 WHEREAS, People of African descent have a long history in 1-6 this region; in the 1500s a Moor named Estevan accompanied the 1-7 Spanish explorer Alvar Nunez Cabeza de Vaca on a trek across Texas; 1-8 by the late 1700s some 450 people of African descent were living in 1-9 Spanish Texas, and in the early 1800s many African Americans from 1-10 the American South escaped across the Sabine River to freedom, 1-11 often settling in East Texas, where they followed a variety of 1-12 occupations; and 1-13 WHEREAS, In the 19th century, before emancipation, African 1-14 Americans played an enormous role in producing the state's 1-15 agricultural bounty and also worked as skilled artisans; after the 1-16 Civil War, many moved to urban centers and, in the years to come, 1-17 provided manpower for the new industries that were established 1-18 there; and 1-19 WHEREAS, African American infantry and cavalry garrisoned 1-20 forts in West Texas during the Indian Wars; known as "Buffalo 1-21 Soldiers," they patrolled the frontier with the assistance of 1-22 Seminole-Negro Indian scouts, built roads, and escorted mail 1-23 carriers, along with numerous other duties; Sergeant Emmanuel 1-24 Stance, stationed at Fort McKavett, was the first African American 2-1 who fought in the Indian Wars to be awarded the Medal of Honor; and 2-2 WHEREAS, Since the early 1800s, African Americans have been 2-3 involved in the cattle industry; one of the most famous black 2-4 cowboys was William Pickett, who became a Wild West rodeo performer 2-5 and who is believed to have originated the bulldogging event; and 2-6 WHEREAS, In the mid-20th century, African Americans in Texas 2-7 significantly advanced the civil rights movement by filing and 2-8 winning lawsuits that outlawed the white primary and helped to 2-9 integrate graduate and professional schools; in more recent years, 2-10 officials such as U.S. Representative Barbara Jordan, Texas Court 2-11 of Criminal Appeals Justice Morris Overstreet, Texas Railroad 2-12 Commission Chairman Michael L. Williams, and others have taken 2-13 their place in the public arena; and 2-14 WHEREAS, Among the most notable of black Texan contributors 2-15 to the arts and humanities have been the musicians Blind Lemon 2-16 Jefferson, Huddie "Leadbelly" Ledbetter, Scott Joplin, and Eddie 2-17 Durham, folklorist J. Mason Brewer, and artist John Biggers; 2-18 prominent athletes include baseball player Willie Wells, boxers 2-19 Jack Johnson and George Foreman, tennis player Zina Garrison, 2-20 volleyball player Flora "Flo" Hyman, and football players Earl 2-21 Campbell, Tony Dorsett, and Ricky Williams; and 2-22 WHEREAS, African Americans have been an integral part of the 2-23 Texas mosaic since colonial times and continue in myriad ways to 2-24 enrich our society and culture; now, therefore, be it 2-25 RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 77th Texas 2-26 Legislature hereby recognize February 2001 as Black History Month 2-27 in Texas and encourage all Texans to learn more about the history 3-1 and contributions of African Americans in the Lone Star State.