79R15366 MMS-D

By:  Hunter                                                       H.R. No. 1611



R E S O L U T I O N
	WHEREAS, Texans today are heirs to an extraordinary cultural 
and historical heritage, derived from the contributions, 
traditions, and experiences of many different groups; to promote an 
appreciation of the part that minority groups have played in 
forging Texas culture, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department and 
Texas Historical Commission are working together to develop the 
Texas Buffalo Soldiers Heritage Trail; and
	WHEREAS, This multifaceted program commemorates African 
American soldiers, known by the Plains Indians as buffalo soldiers, 
who compiled an outstanding record in Texas during the decades 
following the Civil War; composing both cavalry and infantry 
regiments, they served at forts and outposts along civilian and 
military routes and Indian trails on the Texas frontier, where 
their wide-ranging duties included both civil and military 
assignments; and
	WHEREAS, In addition to telling the story of the buffalo 
soldiers, the trail also illuminates the world in which they lived 
and worked by chronicling the experiences of vaqueros, African 
American cowboys, Native Americans, frontier women, and other 
groups who peopled the state in the 1800s; and
	WHEREAS, The heritage trail is based on, and supports and 
encourages the use of, Texas state parks, the Texas Historical 
Commission Local History & Heritage Tourism Program, county 
historical commission preservation activities, and local, state, 
and national historical sites; structurally, the trail is divided 
into 12 corridors, each approximately 50 to 100 miles in width, that 
include natural and historical sites connected to the history of 
the buffalo soldiers; two supplemental segments identify sites that 
relate to these troops but lie outside the corridors; and
	WHEREAS, The development of this heritage trail promises 
myriad benefits to the State of Texas and its citizens; 
interpretive material and educational programs related to the trail 
promote appreciation of the many ways in which various groups 
interacted, influenced each other, and contributed to shaping the 
culture that Texans share today; at the same time, it is hoped that 
the trail encourages a greater interest in, and support for, 
historic preservation, particularly in relation to sites and 
properties associated with minority groups and individuals; and
	WHEREAS, In addition, programs offered by Texas Parks and 
Wildlife at points along the trail are expected to increase 
environmental awareness and introduce children and adults to a 
variety of outdoor recreation activities and skills; and
	WHEREAS, Extending from Brownsville to the Red River and from 
the Panhandle Plains to El Paso, this trail encompasses a wealth of 
sites that make it especially attractive to heritage tourists; such 
visitors seek out places and experiences that "authentically 
represent the stories and people of the past and present" and 
typically spend more time and money at their destinations than any 
other travelers; by encouraging heritage tourism, the trail 
promotes the economic vitality of communities and regions across 
the state; and
	WHEREAS, The buffalo soldiers trail opens numerous windows 
onto a dramatic and varied vista, revealing a heritage in the making 
and a diverse assemblage of people who would shape a rich legacy for 
all the citizens of the Lone Star State; now, therefore, be it
	RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 79th Texas 
Legislature hereby commend the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department 
and Texas Historical Commission on their collaboration in 
developing the Texas Buffalo Soldiers Heritage Trail and extend to 
all associated with this endeavor sincere best wishes as they 
continue to bring this outstanding project to fruition.