H.R. No. 143





R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, The East Texas Choctaw Tribe of more than 200 families exists in Newton and Jasper Counties as a distinct community sharing customs and traditions, kinship organization, and religious beliefs and practices; and WHEREAS, Descendents of James Tyler, the East Texas Choctaw are also related to Meredith (Maraday) Tyler, who was born at the Clifton Choctaw Reservation in Rapids Parish, Louisiana, in 1864 and died in Bon Wier, Texas, in 1937; and WHEREAS, The Clifton Choctaw Tribe was formally recognized as an Indian tribe by the State of Louisiana more than 50 years ago, and East Texas Choctaw Tribe members take justifiable pride in being descendents of a historical Indian tribe; and WHEREAS, Throughout the years, the East Texas Choctaw have played an integral role in Texas' development, and the Native American tribes who were among the first Texans have greatly enriched our shared heritage with their culture; and WHEREAS, Given the tribe's valuable contributions to Texas' history and diversity, the Texas House of Representatives finds that it is appropriate to encourage the East Texas Choctaw Tribe to preserve its cultural and spiritual heritage and traditions; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 79th Texas Legislature, 2nd Called Session, hereby honor the East Texas Choctaw Tribe and commend the tribe's efforts to preserve its cultural and spiritual heritage and traditions. Deshotel ______________________________ Speaker of the House I certify that H.R. No. 143 was adopted by the House on August 8, 2005, by a non-record vote. ______________________________ Chief Clerk of the House