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H.C.R. No. 65
HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, The celebration of Black History Month in February
2005 provides an opportunity to recognize the rich cultural
heritage and significant contributions of African-Americans in the
State of Texas; and
WHEREAS, Black History Month is now an annual observance that
began as Negro History Week in 1926 and was later renamed Black
History Week; originally proposed by Carter Godwin Woodson, an
African-American historian known today as the "Father of Black
History," it was a time to "dramatize the achievements of the race,
not to play up grievances but to demonstrate what Negroes had
achieved . . ."; Woodson noted that ". . . the achievements of the
Negro properly set forth will crown him as a factor in human
progress and a maker of human civilization," as he chose the week in
the month of February containing the birthdays of Frederick
Douglass and Abraham Lincoln, two individuals who did much to pave
the way for a better life for African-Americans; and
WHEREAS, In 1976, Black History Week expanded to become a
monthlong event officially acknowledged by the United States
government when President Gerald Ford, on February 10th of that
year, urged Americans to pay ". . . tribute to Black History Month
and the message of courage and perseverance it brings to all of us";
and
WHEREAS, People of African descent have a long history in
Texas; in 1528, less than ten years after explorers claimed Texas in
the name of King Charles I, a Moor named Estevanico accompanied the
Spanish explorer Alvar Nunez Cabeza de Vaca on a trek across Texas;
by the late 1700's some 450 people of African descent were living in
Spanish Texas, and in the early 1800's many African-Americans from
the South escaped across the Sabine River to freedom, often
settling in East Texas, where they undertook a variety of
occupations; by the close of the 18th century, they comprised
approximately 15 percent of the population of Texas; and
WHEREAS, In the 19th century, before emancipation,
African-Americans played an enormous role in producing the state's
agricultural bounty and also worked as skilled artisans; after the
Civil War, many moved to urban centers and, in the years to follow,
provided manpower for new industries that were established; and
WHEREAS, African-American infantry and cavalry garrisoned
forts in West Texas during the Indian Wars; known as "Buffalo
Soldiers," they patrolled the frontier with the assistance of
Seminole-Negro Indian scouts, built roads, and escorted mail
carriers; Sergeant Emmanuel Stance, stationed at Fort McKavett, was
the first African-American who fought in the Indian Wars to be
awarded the Medal of Honor; and
WHEREAS, Since the early 1800's, African-Americans have been
involved in the cattle industry; one of the most famous black
native-Texan cowboys was Bill Pickett, who became a Wild West rodeo
performer and who is believed to have originated the bulldogging
event; and
WHEREAS, In the mid-20th century, African-Americans in Texas
significantly advanced the civil rights movement by filing and
winning lawsuits that outlawed the "white primary" and helped to
integrate graduate and professional schools; in more recent years,
officials such as Representatives Barbara Jordan, George "Mickey"
Leland, Craig Washington, Eddie Bernice Johnson, Sheila
Jackson-Lee, and Al Green, Texas Supreme Court Justices Wallace
Jefferson and Dale Wainwright, and Texas Court of Criminal Appeals
Justice Morris Overstreet, Texas Railroad Commission Chairman
Michael L. Williams, and others have taken their place in the public
arena; and
WHEREAS, Among the many notable black Texan contributors to
the arts and humanities have been the musicians Blind Lemon
Jefferson, Huddie "Leadbelly" Ledbetter, Scott Joplin, and Eddie
Durham, historian and folklorist J. Mason Brewer, as well as artist
John Biggers; and
WHEREAS, African-Americans have been a significant part of
the population of Texas for hundreds of years, and the celebration
of Black History Month acknowledges and promotes the immeasurable
benefits of a truly diverse society; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the 79th Legislature of the State of Texas,
Regular Session, 2005, hereby designate the month of February 2005
as Black History Month in Texas and encourage all citizens to learn
more about the history and contributions of African-Americans in
the Lone Star State.
Giddings
Allen of Harris
______________________________ ______________________________
President of the Senate Speaker of the House
I certify that H.C.R. No. 65 was adopted by the House on
February 21, 2005, by a non-record vote.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House
I certify that H.C.R. No. 65 was adopted by the Senate on
February 22, 2005, by a viva-voce vote.
______________________________
Secretary of the Senate
APPROVED: __________________
Date
__________________
Governor