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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, A monument in honor of the African Americans who |
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served in the Texas Legislature between 1868 and 1900 and in the |
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Constitutional Conventions of 1868-1869 and 1875 was unveiled on |
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the grounds of the Texas State Cemetery in March 2010, and it has |
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since served to educate and inspire countless people; and |
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WHEREAS, Following emancipation in June 1865, Black Codes |
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were passed by several cities in Texas to restrict the rights of |
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African Americans; it was not until 1867, with the intervention of |
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Congress and the U.S. military, that African Americans began the |
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transition to freedom in earnest; and |
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WHEREAS, By the end of the 1800s, 52 African Americans had |
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served in 2 constitutional conventions and 14 legislatures; before |
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discriminatory laws and practices succeeded, around the turn of the |
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20th century, in excluding blacks once again from political life in |
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Texas, these men engaged in the most pressing issues of the day and |
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worked for the betterment of their communities and the benefit of |
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all Texans; and |
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WHEREAS, Among the critical needs these legislators sought to |
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address were the safeguarding of African American voting rights and |
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the defense of blacks against widespread violence, the provision of |
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educational opportunity, the protection of both skilled and |
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agricultural workers, the reform of the prison system, and the |
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defense of the frontier; black legislators also fought to end |
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segregation in railroad passenger cars and to eliminate the poll |
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tax; their lasting achievements included the creation of Texas |
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Agricultural and Mechanical College and Prairie View Normal |
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Institute; and |
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WHEREAS, Representing a wide variety of backgrounds, |
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experience, and occupations, these dedicated public servants |
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advocated tirelessly in behalf of civil rights for all Texans, and |
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the African American Legislators Monument at the Texas State |
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Cemetery pays fitting tribute to their memory; now, therefore, be |
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it |
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RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 82nd Texas |
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Legislature hereby commemorate the one-year anniversary of the |
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unveiling of the African American Legislators Monument at the Texas |
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State Cemetery and extend sincere appreciation to all those |
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involved in bringing the project to fruition. |
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Turner |
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______________________________ |
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Speaker of the House |
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I certify that H.R. No. 2579 was adopted by the House on May |
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30, 2011, by a non-record vote. |
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______________________________ |
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Chief Clerk of the House |
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