SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 948

WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas is pleased to commemorate the one-year anniversary of the unveiling of the African American Texas Legislators Monument at the Texas State Cemetery; and

WHEREAS, This impressive monument honors the 52 African American men who served as members of the Texas Legislature or as delegates to the constitutional convention during the second half of the 19th century; and

WHEREAS, These pioneering Texans began their service to the state as early as 1868, only three years after the abolishment of slavery by the ratification of the 13th Amendment of the United States Constitution; and

WHEREAS, It is truly fitting that a monument has been erected to the memory of these distinguished gentlemen, whose courage and dedication have served as an inspiration to Texans from all walks of life; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 82nd Legislature, hereby pay tribute to the contributions made to our state and nation by the groundbreaking late-19th-century African American state legislators and constitutional convention delegates who helped form the state we live in today and who have been memorialized with a monument at the Texas State Cemetery that was unveiled and dedicated one year ago; and, be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared in honor of this special occasion.

Ellis

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President of the Senate

I hereby certify that the above Resolution was adopted by the Senate on May 10, 2011.

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Secretary of the Senate

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Member, Texas Senate