H.R. No. 398



R E S O L U T I O N
	WHEREAS, On March 9, 2003, the citizens of San Antonio will 
gather to pay tribute to the 15 Canary Island families who arrived 
in Texas 272 years ago and who established the historic villa of San 
Fernando de Béxar; and
	WHEREAS, This remarkable chapter in the annals of Texas 
history began in 1719, when the Marqués de San Miguel de Aguayo 
proposed that the Spanish crown recruit families from the Canary 
Islands, an archipelago located off the coast of Morocco, to settle 
in Texas; such colonization would help cement Spanish claims to the 
region and block France's westward expansion from Louisiana; and
	WHEREAS, After enduring many hardships, the Canary Islanders 
reached the presidio of San Antonio de Béxar on March 9, 1731, to be 
welcomed by Captain Juan Antonio Pérez de Almazán and his soldiers; 
within months of their arrival, the settlers had established the 
territory's first regularly organized civil government, that of the 
new villa of San Fernando de Béxar; and
	WHEREAS, That small town has grown in size, stature, and 
influence to become the city of San Antonio; over the course of the 
past 300 years, descendants of the original 56 colonists have 
played a key role in the city's emergence as one of our nation's 
largest and most diverse communities, and today they remain proud 
guardians of a uniquely important historical legacy; now, 
therefore, be it
	RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 78th Texas 
Legislature hereby recognize the role of the Canary Islanders in 
the founding of the villa of San Fernando de Béxar, now known as the 
city of San Antonio; and, be it further
	RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be 
prepared for the descendants of the 15 Canary Island families as an 
expression of high regard by the Texas House of Representatives.

                                                                          Puente

                                                  ______________________________
                                                       Speaker of the House     

	I certify that H.R. No. 398 was adopted by the House on March 
6, 2003, by a non-record vote.

                                                  ______________________________
                                                     Chief Clerk of the House