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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, For millennia, people of Indigenous Nations, the |
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more than 200 Native American groups that populated what is now |
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central and southern Texas and northeastern Mexico before the |
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arrival of the first Europeans, have been good stewards, honoring |
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and protecting this cherished land, including Texas; and |
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WHEREAS, Indigenous People are very spiritual, with a deep |
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and abiding belief in a Creator, and have maintained a powerful |
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spiritual connection to the land for centuries; and |
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WHEREAS, While struggling for survival since the arrival of |
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Europeans in North America, the Indigenous People have remained |
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resilient, determined to protect the lands of their heritage and to |
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preserve their unique cultural identities and transmit them to |
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future generations; and |
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WHEREAS, The Indigenous People have created and maintained |
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the Indigenous Cultures Institute in San Marcos to study and |
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catalog the changes and alterations to the Indigenous People's |
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culture "by their systematic removal from their historic lands; [in |
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which] families were separated and entire tribes were purged; [and] |
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the buffalo herds, which the people held sacred and which had |
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sustained their culture for centuries, were destroyed"; the |
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institute also strives to maintain their covenant with sacred |
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sites by partnering with local community organizations and support |
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groups that are dedicated to preserving the natural environment of |
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sites that Indigenous People consider sacred; and |
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WHEREAS, The Indigenous People remain steadfast in their |
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traditional commitment to protect this great land; additionally, |
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they continue to serve honorably, with distinction, in the military |
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forces of the United States; and |
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WHEREAS, A group representing the Indigenous Cultures |
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Institute and the Indigenous People, comprising more than 200 |
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Native American groups, is visiting the Capitol today, and it is |
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appropriate to take this opportunity to welcome them; now, |
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therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 84th Texas |
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Legislature hereby welcome the members of the Indigenous Nations |
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and the Indigenous Cultures Institute on their visit to the Capitol |
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and offer its appreciation for their dedication to the research and |
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preservation of the culture, arts, traditions, ceremonies, and |
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languages of this population, collectively known as Coahuiltecans, |
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and their contributions to the state and nation in preserving the |
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natural environment of sites in Texas that Indigenous People |
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consider sacred; and, be it further |
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RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be |
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prepared for the group as an expression of high regard by the Texas |
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House of Representatives. |