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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, The observance of Basque American Day on June 29, |
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2018, provides an ideal opportunity to celebrate a rich and |
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venerable heritage; and |
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WHEREAS, In 2016, the Smithsonian Folklife Festival in |
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Washington, D.C., highlighted the culture of the Basques; a number |
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of state officials across the country set aside June 29 of that year |
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to recognize Basque Americans, who trace their roots to one of the |
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oldest indigenous enclaves in Europe, one that spans the Pyrenees |
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Mountains in northern Spain and southwestern France; and |
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WHEREAS, Basques were among the earliest Europeans to visit |
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the Americas, beginning with the earliest whale and cod fishing on |
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the east coast, and transatlantic commercial trading; Christopher |
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Columbus' flagship, the Santa Maria, was built in Basque shipyards, |
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and all three vessels in his expedition had Basque expert sailors as |
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crew members; as the exploration and settlement of the New World |
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proceeded, Basques were especially involved in building and manning |
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ships and maintaining the commercial trade that kept supplies |
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flowing to American colonies; and |
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WHEREAS, Many Basques played a prominent role in the early |
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history of Texas; in 1541, a number of Basque men accompanied |
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Francisco Vásquez de Coronado on his quest for the Seven Cities of |
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Gold; over a century later, Basque priest Francisco Ayeta founded |
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three missions near present-day El Paso, which were among the first |
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European |
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outposts in the state; Juan Bautista Elguézabal was |
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interim governor of Texas at the time of the Louisiana Purchase, and |
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his son, Juan José Elguézabal, born in San Antonio de Béxar, later |
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served in the same capacity; Augustín de Itúrbide, the |
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self-proclaimed emperor of Mexico, signed the first permit for |
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Stephen F. Austin's Anglo American colony in 1823; and |
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WHEREAS, During the 19th and early 20th centuries, waves of |
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immigrants from the Basque region sought greater opportunity in the |
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United States, principally in the West, and they won admiration for |
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their strong work ethic and expertise in business and agriculture; |
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Basques have contributed to the development of our nation since its |
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inception, and today, proud Americans of Basque descent continue to |
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enrich its culture and enhance its prosperity; now, therefore, be |
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it |
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RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 85th Texas |
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Legislature, 1st Called Session, hereby recognize June 29, 2018, as |
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Basque American Day. |