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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, Douglas Matthews has long been a valued supporter of |
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the celebration of Juneteenth in Galveston; and |
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WHEREAS, An official state holiday since 1980, Juneteenth |
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commemorates an important milestone in human rights in Texas, the |
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first reading of the Emancipation Proclamation in Galveston on June |
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19, 1865, by Union general Gordon Granger, which effectively freed |
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the 250,000 slaves in Texas at the end of the Civil War; and |
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WHEREAS, Douglas Matthews is assistant vice president for |
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government relations at The University of Texas Medical Branch in |
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Galveston; a leading member of his profession, he has also |
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distinguished himself through his energetic participation in a |
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number of community organizations and activities; and |
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WHEREAS, This public-spirited citizen serves as chairman of |
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the State Juneteenth Advisory Committee, which is responsible for |
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designing and constructing two state Juneteenth monuments; in |
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addition, he is Galveston coordinator of Juneteenth USA and |
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contributes to the Ashton Villa Juneteenth Celebration, now in its |
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30th year, and the Al Edwards Juneteenth Banquet, celebrating its |
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13th year in 2009; and |
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WHEREAS, Through his ongoing leadership, Mr. Matthews has |
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helped to ensure a continued awareness of this landmark event, not |
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only in Galveston but also across the state; now, therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 81st Texas |
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Legislature hereby commend Douglas Matthews for his notable support |
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of Juneteenth activities and extend to him sincere best wishes for |
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continued success and happiness; and, be it further |
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RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be |
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prepared for Mr. Matthews as an expression of high regard by the |
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Texas House of Representatives. |
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Edwards |
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______________________________ |
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Speaker of the House |
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I certify that H.R. No. 2368 was adopted by the House on May |
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25, 2009, by a non-record vote. |
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______________________________ |
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Chief Clerk of the House |
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