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