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H.R. No. 589
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, The African Americans who served in the Texas
Legislature and in the Constitutional Convention of 1868-1869
demonstrated great courage in a period of Texas history when racism
and bigotry were far too common within the state and under the
Capitol dome; and
WHEREAS, Following emancipation, Black Codes and widespread
violence were used to perpetuate, so far as possible, the
constraints formerly imposed on African Americans by slavery; and
WHEREAS, With the advent of Congressional Reconstruction in
1867, however, African American men in southern states gained the
right to vote; in Texas, the first election held after the expansion
of the franchise was a referendum, in February 1868, on calling a
new constitutional convention; and
WHEREAS, When the Constitutional Convention of 1868-1869
assembled, its 90 delegates included 10 African Americans; George
Thompson Ruby, a journalist and teacher from Galveston, led one of
the four blocks of Republican delegates, who collectively dominated
the conclave; all of the African American delegates played an
active role in committees and in presenting significant
resolutions; and
WHEREAS, The 12th Texas Legislature, the first legislature to
meet under the Constitution of 1869, included two African American
senators, George Ruby and Matthew Gaines, and 12 representatives;
Richard Allen, a skilled carpenter who constructed the first bridge
over Buffalo Bayou, served as chairman of the House Committee on
Roads and Bridges; laws passed by this legislature included acts
protecting homesteads from forced sale, creating a militia and a
state police organization to control lawlessness, and establishing
a public, integrated school system; and
WHEREAS, With the end of Reconstruction in Texas in 1873,
pressures to once again exclude African Americans from the
political process began to gather force; nevertheless, African
Americans continued to serve in the legislature through 1897; among
them were Nathan H. Haller, who introduced a bill to establish a
branch of The University of Texas for "the colored youth" of the
state, and Robert L. Smith, who worked for the advancement of race
relations, education, and Prairie View Normal School, and who was
the last African American to serve in the legislature until 1967;
and
WHEREAS, African Americans who held seats in the
Constitutional Convention of 1868 and in the state legislature from
1869 to the close of the 19th century included Richard Allen, Edward
Anderson, Alexander Asberry, Houston A. P. Bassett, David Abner,
Sr., Thomas Beck, Edward Brown, Charles W. Bryant, D. W. Burley,
Walter Moses Burton, Silas Cotton, Stephen Curtis, Bird Davis,
Goldstein Dupree, Robert J. Evans, Jacob E. Freeman, Matthew
Gaines, Harriel G. Geiger, Melvin Goddin, Bedford A. Guy, Nathan H.
Haller, Jeremiah J. Hamilton, William H. Holland, Wiley W. Johnson,
Mitchell Kendall, Robert A. Kerr, Doc C. Lewis, Ralph Long, Lloyd
Henry McCabe, James McWashington, Elias Mayes, David Medlock, John
Mitchell, Henry Moore, Robert J. Moore, Sheppard Mullens, Edward
Patton, Henry Phelps, William Reynolds, Walker E. Ripton, Meshack
R. Roberts, George T. Ruby, Alonzo Sledge, Robert Lloyd Smith,
Henry Sneed, James H. Stewart, James H. Washington, Benjamin O.
Watrous, Allen W. Wilder, Benjamin Franklin Williams, Richard
Williams, and George W. Wyatt; and
WHEREAS, These men of dignity raised a united voice for
freedom, equality, and respect, and their steadfast dedication to
building a better state for all Texans enriches this and future
generations; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 79th Texas
Legislature hereby pay tribute to the African American state
legislators and constitutional convention delegates of 1868-1900
for their many contributions to the development of Texas and for
their heroic efforts to create a more just and inclusive society in
the Lone Star State.
Jones of Dallas
______________________________
Speaker of the House
I certify that H.R. No. 589 was adopted by the House on March
17, 2005, by a non-record vote.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House