H.R. No. 384



R E S O L U T I O N
	WHEREAS, The oldest trail in Texas, El Camino Real de los 
Tejas, was officially designated a National Historic Trail on 
October 18, 2004, when President George W. Bush signed into law the 
El Camino Real de los Tejas National Historic Trail Act; and
	WHEREAS, Stretching nearly 2,600 miles from the Rio Grande 
near Eagle Pass to Natchitoches, Louisiana, El Camino Real dates 
back more than 300 years to the adventures of Spanish explorers in 
the late 17th century; for many years, the historical corridor 
served as a path for missionaries, explorers, traders, armies, 
Native Americans, and tens of thousands of Anglos seeking to settle 
in the Texas region; and
	WHEREAS, El Camino Real de los Tejas, or the Royal Road to the 
Tejas, also served as a strategic corridor during America's War of 
Independence as well as during the Texas Revolution, when it served 
as the main transportation route for Mexican and Texian armies and a 
pathway for such legendary Texas heroes as Davy Crockett and Sam 
Houston; and
	WHEREAS, Milam County is commemorating the designation of the 
El Camino Real as a National Historic Trail with a two-day event, 
"Celebrate Indians, Explorers, Missionaries, and Settlers to El 
Camino Real de los Tejas National Historic Trail," in April 2005; 
and
	WHEREAS, A tourism workshop will be held in Rockdale on April 
22 in coordination with the Texas Department of Transportation, 
Texas Historical Commission, Texas Department of Agriculture, 
Office of the Governor Division of Economic Development and 
Tourism, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, and Texas Commission 
on the Arts; and
	WHEREAS, On April 23, a symposium will be held at the Cameron 
Schools Performing Arts Center in Cameron with a roster of 
distinguished speakers which includes, to name a few, Liz 
Carpenter, former press secretary to Lady Bird Johnson; the 
Honorable Lindy Boggs, former U.S. ambassador to the Vatican; and a 
representative from the National Parks Service; and
	WHEREAS, The designation of El Camino Real as a National 
Historic Trail recognizes the importance of the trail in the 
history of our state and nation, and it is most appropriate on 
Heritage Day to acknowledge the efforts of those dedicated citizens 
of Milam County who are presenting the workshop and symposium 
commemorating this important event; now, therefore, be it
	RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 79th Texas 
Legislature hereby recognize February 16, 2005, as Heritage Day and 
applaud the valued citizens of Milam County for their important 
work toward preserving the history of our great state.

                                                                          Gattis

                                                  ______________________________
                                                       Speaker of the House     

	I certify that H.R. No. 384 was adopted by the House on 
February 16, 2005, by a non-record vote.

                                                  ______________________________
                                                     Chief Clerk of the House