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SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 518
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WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas is pleased to |
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join the Harris County Historical Commission and the Rutherford |
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B. H. Yates Museum, Incorporated, in celebrating the April 27, |
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2013, dedication of an official Texas Historical Marker |
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commemorating the life and work of attorney and community leader |
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J. Vance Lewis; and |
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WHEREAS, J. Vance Lewis was born in Terrebonne Parish, |
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Louisiana, around 1869; he attended Leland University in New |
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Orleans and earned a teaching certificate from the Normal School |
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in Orange, Texas; he taught and served as principal at Cripple |
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Creek School in Angelina County, and he earned a law degree from |
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the Chicago College of Law in 1897; and |
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WHEREAS, He moved to Houston in 1901 and lived in the |
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Freedmen's Town community; he established a law firm with Lewis |
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W. Greenly and was one of only a handful of African American |
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lawyers in Texas; he was admitted to the State Bar of Texas in |
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1904; and |
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WHEREAS, In addition to practicing law, Mr. Lewis |
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supported and promoted economic enterprises in his community; he |
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contributed funds toward the creation of an African American bank |
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and joined the Colored Commercial Club; he was also active in |
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political affairs, running for criminal district judge and |
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traveling across the country in support of the Black and Tan |
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Republican Party; and |
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WHEREAS, Mr. Lewis provided an important early voice for |
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equality in Houston and the country, and it is truly fitting that |
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he be honored with an official Texas Historical Marker; now, |
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therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, |
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83rd Legislature, hereby extend best wishes to the Harris County |
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Historical Commission and the Rutherford B. H. Yates Museum, |
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Incorporated, for a memorable dedication ceremony for the |
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official Texas Historical Marker commemorating the life and |
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legacy of J. Vance Lewis; 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 special occasion. |
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Whitmire |
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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 March 20, 2013. |
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________________________________ |
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Secretary of the Senate |
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________________________________ |
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Member, Texas Senate |