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                                                                H.C.R. No. 32 



HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
	WHEREAS, For three weeks in January 2005, the Huff Diary and 
Wagon Train Project is engaging hundreds of students from across 
Texas and California in a hands-on history project of epic scope, 
exemplifying not only creative initiative on the part of educators 
and outstanding support by state employees, but also inventive and 
effective use of Texas state parks and historic landmarks; and
	WHEREAS, The educational adventure of a lifetime, the 
singular project is affording participants the opportunity to 
travel 650 miles in horse-drawn wagons across Texas from El Paso to 
near Austin as they retrace, in reverse, the legendary route of 
1850s gold rush pioneer William P. Huff; along the trail, they are 
studying firsthand those historic Texas landmarks described in 
Huff's diary; and
	WHEREAS, Thousands of additional students may vicariously 
experience the exciting journey by accessing a state-of-the-art 
website that follows the progress of the wagon train through daily 
photographic and text updates and serves as a forum for dialogues by 
e-mail with Wagon Train participants; and
	WHEREAS, William P. Huff came to San Felipe as one of Stephen 
F. Austin's original "Old Three Hundred" settlers in 1824 and set up 
a general store with his father; during the Texas Revolution, he 
befriended Mr. Austin and other luminaries of Texas history, 
including William B. Travis, Jim Bowie, and Sam Houston; in 1859, he 
left the Lone Star State for the Northern California gold fields, 
compiling along the way a 300,000-word diary that today stands as 
the most detailed account available of the lesser-known Southern 
Gold Rush Trail; and
	WHEREAS, The history of William Huff and the other 
"Argonauts" who blazed this trail has remained largely untold, 
despite the fact that this stirring and important chapter of the 
state's rich history further reveals a drive and determination that 
defines the cultural character of Texans even today; and
	WHEREAS, The Huff Diary and Wagon Train Project provides an 
opportunity to draw much-deserved attention to Mr. Huff's story and 
to demonstrate the effectiveness of hands-on learning experiences 
in teaching the history and heritage of our state; now, therefore, 
be it
	RESOLVED, That the 79th Legislature of the State of Texas 
hereby recognize the Huff Diary and Wagon Train Project for its 
innovative and unprecedented approach to history education, 
welcome the participants to Austin, and applaud the students, 
parents, teachers, state agencies, county historical societies, 
and all those involved in this remarkable undertaking.

                                                                      Hilderbran




______________________________              ______________________________
 
   President of the Senate                               Speaker of the House      

	I certify that H.C.R. No. 32 was adopted by the House on 
January 25, 2005, by a non-record vote.

                                                  ______________________________
                                                     Chief Clerk of the House   

	I certify that H.C.R. No. 32 was adopted by the Senate on 
January 26, 2005, by a viva-voce vote.

                                                  ______________________________
                                                      Secretary of the Senate   



APPROVED: __________________                                                
 
                Date                                                         




 
         __________________                                              
 
              Governor