SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 955
         WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas is pleased to
  recognize the 50th anniversary of the Freedom Rides of 1961 and
  to welcome Robert Farrell, a participant in those historic
  efforts, which played a key role in the struggle for racial
  equality in the United States; and
 
         WHEREAS, In May of 1961, an interracial group of bus riders
  set out to test the new law that forbade segregation in
  interstate transportation; organized by the Congress of Racial
  Equality and the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee,
  these riders employed the strategy of nonviolence to draw
  attention to the multiple injustices of segregation; and
 
         WHEREAS, The rides began in Washington, D.C., where two
  teams of riders boarded buses to travel to New Orleans, with
  their route taking them through the deep South and exposing them
  to the threat of violent reprisals; the start of the trip went
  well, and the group was welcomed in Atlanta by Dr. Martin Luther
  King, Jr.; later along the route, however, the buses were
  attacked and riders were beaten by crowds; and
 
         WHEREAS, The Freedom Riders' refusal to be intimidated,
  their steadfast and righteous defiance, and their brave
  commitment to their mission helped bring about the nationwide
  public realization that integration was a moral imperative while
  also inspiring the immediate and direct support of hundreds of
  young people, both black and white, who came from across the
  country to join them; and
 
         WHEREAS, In August of that same year, another group of
  riders, including Robert Farrell, set forth from Los Angeles by
  train to further the cause of helping our nation implement the
  ideals of its founding; these riders were arrested and jailed in
  Houston for nonviolently attempting to desegregate that city's
  Union Station Coffee Shop; and
 
         WHEREAS, These struggles for equality brought to the
  forefront many young people whose experiences in the Freedom
  Rides inspired them to become leaders in the civil rights
  movement and in their communities; leaders such as Congressman
  John Lewis of Georgia and longtime Los Angeles Councilman Robert
  Farrell have served as an inspiration to generations of activists
  working to effect societal change; and
 
         WHEREAS, The Freedom Rides played a vital role in bringing
  attention to the inequities faced by African Americans in this
  country; it is truly fitting that they be recognized as a vital
  part of our shared history on the occasion of their 50th
  anniversary; now, therefore, be it
         RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 82nd
  Legislature, hereby commend the Freedom Riders on their courage
  and their dedication to equal rights and call on all Texans to
  recognize their historic contributions to bringing our nation
  closer to its principles and ideals; and, be it further
 
         RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared in
  honor of this significant occasion in our nation's history.
 
  Ellis, West
   
   
   
    ________________________________ 
        President of the Senate
     
        I hereby certify that the
    above Resolution was adopted by
    the Senate on May 10, 2011.
   
   
   
    ________________________________ 
        Secretary of the Senate
   
   
   
    ________________________________ 
         Member, Texas Senate
   
   
   
    ________________________________ 
         Member, Texas Senate