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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, Proud citizens of Menard are celebrating the 250th |
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anniversary of the founding of the Presidio de San Saba and the |
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Mission Santa Cruz de San Saba with a series of events during the |
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week of June 9-16, 2007; and |
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WHEREAS, Originally called Presidio San Luis de las |
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Amarillas, the Presidio de San Saba was the largest fort in Spanish |
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Texas; built in 1757 through the combined efforts of Spanish |
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soldiers, priests, and Apache laborers, it was intended to protect |
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the Mission Santa Cruz de San Saba, which lay four miles away on the |
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San Saba River; and |
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WHEREAS, On March 16, 1758, the mission was destroyed during |
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an assault by 2,000 Comanche, Caddo, and Wichita warriors; the |
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presidio was abandoned the same year, but remained important over |
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the years as an Indian camp and a landmark for passing expeditions; |
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and |
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WHEREAS, This significant piece of Texas history is overseen |
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by the Presidio de San Saba Restoration Board, which, along with the |
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Texas Archaeological Society and Texas Tech University, is working |
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to preserve and restore the presidio; during the weeklong |
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celebration, more than 500 people, including archaeologists, |
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students from Texas Tech, and public school teachers and students, |
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will participate in excavation activities at the presidio site; and |
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WHEREAS, Various cultural and educational activities will |
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mark the occasion as well, including a pilgrimage walk, |
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reenactments, nightly historical presentations, and a community |
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dinner; a 100-mile "Tour de Forts" bicycle ride will be held, two |
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new murals will be dedicated, and a copy of a famous historical |
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painting of the Mission de San Saba will be on display; and |
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WHEREAS, This noteworthy commemorative and educational event |
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demonstrates the commitment of its participants to preserving an |
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important part of Texas history, and the exemplary actions of all |
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involved merit special commendation; now, therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 80th Texas |
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Legislature hereby pay tribute to the commemoration of the 250th |
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anniversary of the founding of the Presidio de San Saba and the |
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Mission Santa Cruz de San Saba and extend to the celebration's |
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organizers and participants best wishes for an enjoyable and |
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meaningful week; and, be it further |
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RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be |
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prepared for the Presidio de San Saba Restoration Board as an |
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expression of high regard by the Texas House of Representatives. |
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Hilderbran |
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______________________________ |
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Speaker of the House |
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I certify that H.R. No. 2634 was adopted by the House on May |
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25, 2007, by a non-record vote. |
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______________________________ |
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Chief Clerk of the House |
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