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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, Black History Month is being celebrated in February |
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2017 in recognition of the rich cultural heritage and significant |
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achievements of African Americans; and |
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WHEREAS, In 1976, President Gerald R. Ford expanded and |
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formalized the half-century-old celebration of Black History Week, |
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urging citizens to use the entire month of February as an |
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opportunity "to honor the too-often neglected accomplishments of |
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black Americans in every area of endeavor throughout our history"; |
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and |
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WHEREAS, The country has continued to work toward gaining |
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greater understanding of the enormity of African American |
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contributions in all realms; in September 2016, Barack Obama, the |
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first African American president of the United States, helped to |
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inaugurate the National Museum of African American History and |
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Culture, noting the centrality of the African American experience |
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to the American story; at the opening ceremony, former president |
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George W. Bush, who signed the 2003 bill authorizing construction |
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of the building, affirmed the study of African American history as a |
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demonstration of our commitment to a fuller, more comprehensive |
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telling of the nation's story; and |
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WHEREAS, The public has flocked to the museum in |
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extraordinary numbers, and this year, a wide range of federal |
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institutions are offering special Black History Month programming |
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as well, among them the Library of Congress, the National Archives |
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and Records Administration, the National Gallery of Art, and the |
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National Park Service; events and institutions across Texas and |
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around the country are also paying tribute to cultural icons and |
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giants of the struggle for freedom; and |
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WHEREAS, While the journey of African Americans toward |
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freedom, equality, and justice has been long and difficult, the |
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trajectory of that path continues to inspire hope of a more |
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inclusive and ever-brighter future; now, therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 85th Texas |
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Legislature hereby recognize February 2017 as Black History Month |
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and encourage all Texans to take advantage of opportunities for |
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learning, reflection, and celebration. |
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Reynolds |
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______________________________ |
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Speaker of the House |
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I certify that H.R. No. 364 was adopted by the House on |
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February 23, 2017, by a non-record vote. |
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______________________________ |
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Chief Clerk of the House |
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