| H.R. No. 1631 | ||
|
|
||
| WHEREAS, The City of Prairie View is celebrating the 40th | ||
| anniversary of its incorporation on May 1-3, 2009; and | ||
| WHEREAS, Located in Waller County, this industrious | ||
| community is "Open For Business" as it celebrates its birthday with | ||
| fun, food, and entertainment; the festive affair will include a | ||
| parade of businesses to showcase the city's economic development | ||
| achievements and potential; and | ||
| WHEREAS, Prairie View traces its roots to Alta Vista, the | ||
| plantation home of Jared E. and Helen Marr Kirby; when her husband | ||
| died soon after the Civil War, Mrs. Kirby transformed the mansion | ||
| into a boarding school for young ladies called Alta Vista | ||
| Institute; she later moved the school to Austin, selling the | ||
| structure to the State of Texas in 1876; and | ||
| WHEREAS, That year, the 15th Legislature established the | ||
| first public institution of higher learning for African Americans | ||
| in Texas, to be located on the former Kirby plantation; the new | ||
| agricultural and mechanical training school opened in March 1878 | ||
| with only eight students, and the following year an Act of the state | ||
| legislature established Prairie View Normal and Industrial | ||
| Training School; and | ||
| WHEREAS, Prairie View A&M University flourished, and the city | ||
| continues to greatly benefit from the institution's traditions and | ||
| activities that enrich the community and provide exceptional | ||
| educational opportunities for all Texans; and | ||
| WHEREAS, Living up to its motto, "Productive, United, | ||
| Indomitable," Prairie View can be proud of its notable history and | ||
| look forward to a future filled with promise and prosperity; now, | ||
| therefore, be it | ||
| RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 81st Texas | ||
| Legislature hereby commemorate the 40th anniversary of the founding | ||
| of the City of Prairie View and extend to its citizens sincere best | ||
| wishes for a memorable celebration. | ||
| Allen | ||
| ______________________________ | ||
| Speaker of the House | ||
| I certify that H.R. No. 1631 was adopted by the House on May | ||
| 4, 2009, by a non-record vote. | ||
| ______________________________ | ||
| Chief Clerk of the House | ||