R E S O L U T I O N
1-1 WHEREAS, Although the United States government acknowledged
1-2 receipt of the Tap Pilam-Coahuiltecan Nation's petition for federal
1-3 recognition in 1997, the tribe is currently unrecognized by the
1-4 State of Texas or by the United States; and
1-5 WHEREAS, There are now more than 550 federally recognized
1-6 tribes in the United States; this unique designation conveys a
1-7 legal relationship between these tribes or groups and the U.S.
1-8 government; and
1-9 WHEREAS, The Coahuiltecan tribe's distinguished history in
1-10 the Lone Star State merits strong consideration for official
1-11 acknowledgment from the State of Texas and the United States; and
1-12 WHEREAS, In the late 1600s Spanish explorers first
1-13 encountered the Coahuiltecan tribe, whose name is derived from the
1-14 state of Coahuila in Mexico; the tribe members had seasonal
1-15 attachments to their campgrounds and relied on their hunting and
1-16 gathering acumen and skills to survive; and
1-17 WHEREAS, To increase the number of Spanish citizens on the
1-18 frontier, various Native American groups were converted to
1-19 Christianity, and five missions were established between 1718 and
1-20 1731 in San Antonio, including the San Antonio de Valero, San Jose,
1-21 Concepcion de Acuna, San Juan Capistrano, and San Francisco de la
1-22 Espada; moreover, the Coahuiltecan language was translated into
1-23 Spanish to make the conversion process easier; and
1-24 WHEREAS, Members of the Coahuiltecan tribe and other Native
2-1 American groups performed important duties at the missions, such as
2-2 constructing dams and irrigation canals, working in the fields and
2-3 as the first cowboys, and helping to build what became communities
2-4 in present-day Texas and northeastern Mexico; and
2-5 WHEREAS, While many Native American tribes eventually became
2-6 displaced and assimilated in the 18th and 19th centuries, the
2-7 Coahuiltecan tribe's proud rituals and traditions have endured, and
2-8 aspects of its daily life are the same as those in use at the time
2-9 of its first contact with Europeans; and
2-10 WHEREAS, Descendants of this intrepid tribe celebrate
2-11 time-honored occasions, such as Indian Decoration Day, and also use
2-12 ceremonial music and dress as ways of upholding tribal customs; in
2-13 addition, renewed efforts to ascertain more knowledge about their
2-14 ancestry are ongoing; and
2-15 WHEREAS, Throughout the years, the Coahuiltecans have played
2-16 an integral role in Texas' development, and the Native American
2-17 tribes who were the first Texans have greatly enriched our shared
2-18 heritage with their culture; and
2-19 WHEREAS, Given the tribe's justifiable pride in its distinct
2-20 history and culture, the Texas House of Representatives finds that
2-21 it is indeed appropriate to bestow such recognition as will
2-22 encourage the preservation of the Tap Pilam-Coahuiltecans' unique
2-23 cultural heritage and to support those activities consistent with
2-24 the state's interest in preserving all of Texas' diverse cultural
2-25 and natural resources for future generations; now, therefore, be it
2-26 RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 77th Texas
2-27 Legislature hereby recognize the Tap Pilam-Coahuiltecan Nation for
3-1 its immeasurable contributions as an indigenous people of Texas and
3-2 commend the tribe's efforts to preserve its cultural and spiritual
3-3 heritage and traditions.
Turner of Coleman
_______________________________
Speaker of the House
I certify that H.R. No. 787 was adopted by the House on May
10, 2001, by a non-record vote.
_______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House