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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, The celebration of Black History Month in February |
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2009 provides an opportunity to recognize the rich cultural |
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heritage of African Americans and the significant contributions |
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they have made and are making in the Lone Star State; and |
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WHEREAS, An event celebrating black history was established |
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in 1926 as a weeklong observance by Dr. Carter G. Woodson, an author |
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and scholar and the son of former slaves who sought a means of |
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educating non-black Americans about African American culture and |
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engendering pride among black Americans; the tribute was expanded |
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to a month in 1976 and was officially recognized by President Gerald |
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Ford, who encouraged all Americans to pay " . . . tribute to Black |
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History Month and the message of courage and perseverance it brings |
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to all of us"; and |
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WHEREAS, People of African descent have a long history in |
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Texas; in 1528, a Moor named Estevan accompanied the Spanish |
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explorer Alvar Nunez Cabeza de Vaca on a trek across our state; by |
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the end of the 18th century, some 450 individuals of African origins |
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lived in Spanish Texas, and in the early 1800s many African |
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Americans enslaved in the American South crossed the Sabine River, |
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seeking their freedom and settling in East Texas; and |
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WHEREAS, In the 19th century, before emancipation, African |
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Americans played an enormous role in producing the state's |
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agricultural bounty and also worked as skilled artisans; after the |
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Civil War, many moved to urban centers, and in the years to follow, |
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provided manpower for new industries that were established; and |
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WHEREAS, African American infantry and cavalry garrisoned |
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forts in West Texas during the Indian Wars; known as "Buffalo |
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Soldiers," they patrolled the frontier with the assistance of |
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Seminole-Negro Indian scouts, built roads, and escorted mail |
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carriers; Sergeant Emmanuel Stance, stationed at Fort McKavett, was |
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the first African American who fought in the Indian Wars to be |
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awarded the Medal of Honor; and |
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WHEREAS, Since the early 1800s, African Americans have been |
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involved in the cattle industry; one of the most famous black native |
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Texan cowboys was William Pickett, who became a Wild West rodeo |
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performer and who is believed to have originated the bulldogging |
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event; and |
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WHEREAS, In the mid-20th century, African Americans in Texas |
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significantly advanced the civil rights movement by filing and |
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winning lawsuits that outlawed the white primary and helped to |
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integrate graduate and professional schools; today, influential |
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African American leaders continue to follow in the footsteps of |
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their predecessors, taking their rightful place in the public arena |
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and promoting social justice; and |
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WHEREAS, African Americans have been a significant part of |
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the population of Texas for hundreds of years, and the celebration |
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of Black History Month acknowledges and promotes the immeasurable |
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benefits of living in a truly diverse society; now, therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 81st Texas |
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Legislature hereby recognize February 2009 as Black History Month |
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and encourage all citizens to learn more about the history and |
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accomplishments of African Americans in the Lone Star State. |