H.R. No. 632

	R E S O L U T I O N
	WHEREAS, The celebration of Black History Month in February
	2011 provides an opportunity to recognize the rich cultural
	heritage of African Americans and the significant contributions
	they have made and are making to the Lone Star State and the world at
	large; and
	WHEREAS, A weeklong observance focusing on black history was
	established in 1926 by Dr. Carter G. Woodson, an author and scholar
	and the son of former slaves, who sought a means of educating
	non-black Americans about African American culture and of
	engendering pride among black Americans; the tribute was expanded
	to a month in 1976 and was officially recognized by President Gerald
	Ford, who encouraged all Americans to celebrate "Black History
	Month and the message of courage and perseverance it brings to all
	of us"; and
	WHEREAS, African Americans have constituted a significant
	part of the population of Texas for hundreds of years; in the 19th
	century, before emancipation, they played an enormous role in
	producing this state's agricultural bounty and also worked as
	skilled artisans; after the Civil War, many moved to urban centers,
	and in the years that followed, they provided manpower for new
	industries that were being established; and
	WHEREAS, African American infantry and cavalry garrisoned
	forts in West Texas during the Indian Wars; known as "Buffalo
	Soldiers," they patrolled the frontier with the assistance of black
	Seminole Indian scouts, built roads, and escorted mail carriers;
	Sergeant Emmanuel Stance, stationed at Fort McKavett, was the first
	African American who fought in the Indian Wars to be awarded the
	Medal of Honor; and
	WHEREAS, Since the early 1800s, African Americans have been
	involved in the cattle industry; one of the most famous black Texan
	cowboys was William Pickett, who became a Wild West rodeo performer
	and who is believed to have originated the bulldogging event; and
	WHEREAS, In the mid-20th century, African Americans in Texas
	substantially furthered the civil rights movement by filing and
	winning lawsuits that outlawed the white primary and that helped to
	integrate graduate and professional schools; today, influential
	African American leaders continue to follow in the footsteps of
	their predecessors, taking their rightful place in the public arena
	and promoting social justice; and
	WHEREAS, The contributions of African Americans in the nation
	at large not only have impacted every facet of life in this country
	but have had an influence around the globe; among their most notable
	but perhaps least-known achievements have been advances in science
	and technology; the long list of those who have distinguished
	themselves in these fields includes Alexander Miles, who developed
	the automated elevator door, Garrett Morgan, who invented the gas
	mask and the traffic signal, Frederick Jones, who developed
	refrigerated trucks and railroad cars, Dr. Charles Drew, who
	developed a technique for preserving plasma and who established
	blood banks across Europe and the Pacific during World War II,
	saving the lives of countless American soldiers and sailors, Dr.
	Patricia E. Bath, who developed a method of eye surgery that has
	helped many blind people to see, and Dr. Philip Emeagwali, who in
	1989 invented the world's fastest computer; and
	WHEREAS, The celebration of Black History Month highlights
	the myriad ways in which African Americans have helped to shape this
	state and nation over the course of four centuries and acknowledges
	the immeasurable benefits of living in a truly diverse society;
	now, therefore, be it
	RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 82nd Texas
	Legislature hereby recognize February 2011 as Black History Month
	and encourage all citizens to learn more about the history and
	accomplishments of African Americans.
	Giddings
	Straus Gonzales of Williamson Morrison
	Aliseda Gonzalez Munoz, Jr.
	Allen Gooden Murphy
	Alonzo Guillen Naishtat
	Alvarado Gutierrez Nash
	Anchia Hamilton Oliveira
	Anderson of Dallas Hancock Orr
	Anderson of McLennan Hardcastle Otto
	Aycock Harless Parker
	Beck Harper-Brown Patrick
	Berman Hartnett Paxton
	Bohac Hernandez Luna Pena
	Bonnen Hilderbran Perry
	Branch Hochberg Phillips
	Brown Hopson Pickett
	Burkett Howard of Fort Bend Pitts
	Burnam Howard of Travis Price
	Button Huberty Quintanilla
	Cain Hughes Raymond
	Callegari Hunter Reynolds
	Carter Isaac Riddle
	Castro Jackson Ritter
	Chisum Johnson Rodriguez
	Christian Keffer Schwertner
	Coleman King of Parker Scott
	Cook King of Taylor Sheets
	Craddick King of Zavala Sheffield
	Creighton Kleinschmidt Shelton
	Crownover Kolkhorst Simpson
	Darby Kuempel Smith of Harris
	Davis of Dallas Landtroop Smith of Tarrant
	J. Davis of Harris Larson Smithee
	S. Davis of Harris Laubenberg Solomons
	Deshotel Lavender Strama
	Driver Legler Taylor of Collin
	Dukes Lewis Taylor of Galveston
	Dutton Lozano Thompson
	Eiland Lucio III Torres
	Eissler Lyne Truitt
	Elkins Madden Turner
	Farias Mallory Caraway Veasey
	Farrar Margo Villarreal
	Fletcher Marquez Vo
	Flynn Martinez Walle
	Frullo Martinez Fischer Weber
	Gallego McClendon White
	Garza Menendez Woolley
	Geren Miles Workman
	Giddings Miller of Comal Zedler
	Gonzales of Hidalgo Miller of Erath Zerwas
	______________________________
	Speaker of the House
	I certify that H.R. No. 632 was adopted by the House on February
	28, 2011, by a non-record vote.
	______________________________
	Chief Clerk of the House