SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 1059

	WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas is pleased to 
recognize members of the Williams-Livingston family on the
grand occasion of their family reunion, which is being held
June 3 through 5, 2005; and

	WHEREAS, Every year, on the first Saturday of June,
members of the Williams-Livingston family hold a reunion to 
celebrate their heritage and to commemorate the birth of
Mamie Elizabeth "Mama Mae" Williams; they invite friends from 
across Texas and the United States and share their celebration
of love for their family and community; and

	WHEREAS, Family history reveals that the
Charles and Caroline Livingston families moved from Virginia
as freed slaves and arrived in the Freestone County area in the 
early 1800s; the Charles Livingston family settled in the area 
known as Cotton Gin and sharecropped on local farms; and

	WHEREAS, Caroline Livingston's family moved from Alabama 
to Kirvin in Freestone County; they arrived in covered wagons,
on horseback, and on foot; they settled on the Alfred Carter farm 
and worked his land; and

	WHEREAS, Caroline and Charles Livingston's children, 
Elbert Jefferson, Fannie, Foster, Elizabeth, and Callie, 
supported their community and were instrumental in establishing 
the Woods Chapel Primitive Baptist Church; they helped create a 
public school system for their children and children from 
surrounding communities; and

	WHEREAS, The members of the Williams-Livingston
family who host the annual reunion are the descendants of 
Caroline and Charles Livingston's daughter, Elizabeth Livingston;
born July 2, 1866, she married Austin Williams, a freed
slave from Tennessee, and the couple had 10 children;
Mamie Elizabeth "Mama Mae" Williams, born June 1, 1889, was one
of those children; and

	WHEREAS, Mamie Elizabeth "Mama Mae" Williams was the 
matriarch of the Williams-Livingston family until October 13, 1987,
when she died at the age of 98; her daughters and their families 
had scattered across Texas to Dallas, Fort Worth, Houston, and 
San Antonio, where many of the Williams-Livingston family 
members reside and work today; and

	WHEREAS, The Williams-Livingston family members are 
successful men and women who have contributed greatly to their 
communities through their leadership, professionalism, and 
concern for others; and

	WHEREAS, They are exemplary citizens who believe strongly 
in traditional values and instill in their children the virtues 
of love and hard work; and

	WHEREAS, The annual Williams-Livingston reunion is the 
manifestation of the family's belief in unity, loyalty, and pride 
in one's heritage; now, therefore, be it

	RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas,
79th Legislature, hereby extend to the members of the
Williams-Livingston family best wishes for a joyous and memorable
family reunion; and, be it further

	RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared for 
the family as a memento of this special occasion.
                                                                            West




________________________________ 
    President of the Senate
 
    I hereby certify that the 
above Resolution was adopted by 
the Senate on May 27, 2005.



________________________________ 
    Secretary of the Senate



________________________________ 
     Member, Texas Senate