| |
| |
|
|
R E S O L U T I O N
|
|
|
WHEREAS, Proud citizens of Menard are celebrating the 250th |
|
|
anniversary of the founding of the Presidio de San Saba and the |
|
|
Mission Santa Cruz de San Saba with a series of events during the |
|
|
week of June 9-16, 2007; and |
|
|
WHEREAS, Originally called Presidio San Luis de las |
|
|
Amarillas, the Presidio de San Saba was the largest fort in Spanish |
|
|
Texas; built in 1757 through the combined efforts of Spanish |
|
|
soldiers, priests, and Apache laborers, it was intended to protect |
|
|
the Mission Santa Cruz de San Saba, which lay four miles away on the |
|
|
San Saba River; and |
|
|
WHEREAS, On March 16, 1758, the mission was destroyed during |
|
|
an assault by 2,000 Comanche, Caddo, and Wichita warriors; the |
|
|
presidio was abandoned the same year, but remained important over |
|
|
the years as an Indian camp and a landmark for passing expeditions; |
|
|
and |
|
|
WHEREAS, This significant piece of Texas history is overseen |
|
|
by the Presidio de San Saba Restoration Board, which, along with the |
|
|
Texas Archaeological Society and Texas Tech University, is working |
|
|
to preserve and restore the presidio; during the weeklong |
|
|
celebration, more than 500 people, including archaeologists, |
|
|
students from Texas Tech, and public school teachers and students, |
|
|
will participate in excavation activities at the presidio site; and |
|
|
WHEREAS, Various cultural and educational activities will |
|
|
mark the occasion as well, including a pilgrimage walk, |
|
|
reenactments, nightly historical presentations, and a community |
|
|
dinner; a 100-mile "Tour de Forts" bicycle ride will be held, two |
|
|
new murals will be dedicated, and a copy of a famous historical |
|
|
painting of the Mission de San Saba will be on display; and |
|
|
WHEREAS, This noteworthy commemorative and educational event |
|
|
demonstrates the commitment of its participants to preserving an |
|
|
important part of Texas history, and the exemplary actions of all |
|
|
involved merit special commendation; now, therefore, be it |
|
|
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 80th Texas |
|
|
Legislature hereby pay tribute to the commemoration of the 250th |
|
|
anniversary of the founding of the Presidio de San Saba and the |
|
|
Mission Santa Cruz de San Saba and extend to the celebration's |
|
|
organizers and participants best wishes for an enjoyable and |
|
|
meaningful week; and, be it further |
|
|
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be |
|
|
prepared for the Presidio de San Saba Restoration Board as an |
|
|
expression of high regard by the Texas House of Representatives. |