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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, The City of Prairie View is celebrating the 40th |
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anniversary of its incorporation on May 1-3, 2009; and |
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WHEREAS, Located in Waller County, this industrious |
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community is "Open For Business" as it celebrates its birthday with |
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fun, food, and entertainment; the festive affair will include a |
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parade of businesses to showcase the city's economic development |
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achievements and potential; and |
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WHEREAS, Prairie View traces its roots to Alta Vista, the |
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plantation home of Jared E. and Helen Marr Kirby; when her husband |
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died soon after the Civil War, Mrs. Kirby transformed the mansion |
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into a boarding school for young ladies called Alta Vista |
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Institute; she later moved the school to Austin, selling the |
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structure to the State of Texas in 1876; and |
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WHEREAS, That year, the 15th Legislature established the |
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first public institution of higher learning for African Americans |
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in Texas, to be located on the former Kirby plantation; the new |
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agricultural and mechanical training school opened in March 1878 |
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with only eight students, and the following year an Act of the state |
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legislature established Prairie View Normal and Industrial |
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Training School; and |
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WHEREAS, Prairie View A&M University flourished, and the city |
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continues to greatly benefit from the institution's traditions and |
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activities that enrich the community and provide exceptional |
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educational opportunities for all Texans; and |
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WHEREAS, Living up to its motto, "Productive, United, |
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Indomitable," Prairie View can be proud of its notable history and |
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look forward to a future filled with promise and prosperity; now, |
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therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 81st Texas |
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Legislature hereby commemorate the 40th anniversary of the founding |
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of the City of Prairie View and extend to its citizens sincere best |
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wishes for a memorable celebration. |