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                                                                H.C.R. No. 35 



HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
	WHEREAS, Frances Cox Henderson earned a special place in 
history as the original First Lady of Texas, but the measure of her 
life is much larger than her status as wife of the first governor of 
the Lone Star State; and
	WHEREAS, Born July 21, 1820, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 
Mrs. Henderson was educated in Europe, where this exceptionally 
talented young woman learned 18 languages, wrote and translated 
stories, was proficient in mathematics, and became an accomplished 
musician; and
	WHEREAS, She met her husband-to-be, James Pinckney 
Henderson, in Paris at the age of 19; he was serving as the envoy 
from the Republic of Texas to England and France; the couple were 
married in London in 1839, and arrived in their new home of San 
Augustine, Texas, the following year; and
	WHEREAS, Mrs. Henderson studied law so that she could handle 
the affairs of her husband's law practice while he was away; when he 
was elected first governor of the State of Texas in 1845, she 
remained in San Augustine, rearing their children and helping to 
establish Episcopal churches throughout the region; and
	WHEREAS, Her husband, who was serving in the United States 
Senate, passed away in 1858, and Mrs. Henderson took her family to 
Europe so that her daughters could receive the best available 
education and so that she could avoid questions of allegiance 
during the Civil War; and
	WHEREAS, A woman of vision and determination, she supported 
women's suffrage, wrote a book about the life of a post-slavery 
plantation worker, and established the House of Good Shepherd for 
elderly and disabled women; late in life, she became a community 
leader in her home of East Orange, New Jersey, where she was active 
in the work of the local library and St. Mark's Episcopal Church; 
and
	WHEREAS, Frances Cox Henderson will be remembered for her 
place in Texas history and for the grace and dignity of a life that 
was lived to the fullest, as evidenced by extraordinary 
scholarship, strength of faith and devotion to church, and selfless 
charity; now, therefore, be it
	RESOLVED, That the 79th Legislature of the State of Texas, 
3rd Called Session, hereby pay tribute to the life and work of 
Frances Cox Henderson and designate July 21, 2006, as Frances Cox 
Henderson Remembrance Day.

                                                                          Hunter




______________________________              ______________________________
 
   President of the Senate                               Speaker of the House      

	I certify that H.C.R. No. 35 was adopted by the House on May 
9, 2006, by a non-record vote.

                                                  ______________________________
                                                     Chief Clerk of the House   

	I certify that H.C.R. No. 35 was adopted by the Senate on May 
10, 2006, by a viva-voce vote.

                                                  ______________________________
                                                      Secretary of the Senate   



APPROVED: __________________                                                
 
                Date                                                         




 
         __________________                                              
 
              Governor