85R12344 JCD-D
 
  By: White H.R. No. 1229
 
 
 
R E S O L U T I O N
         WHEREAS, Americans of Czech ancestry celebrate their
  cultural heritage with events throughout the year, and many Texans
  are observing Czech Heritage Day in Texas on September 30, 2017; and
         WHEREAS, Throughout its history, Texas has greatly benefited
  from the many significant contributions of individuals of Czech
  descent; immigrants from what is today known as the Czech Republic
  began arriving in Texas in the early 1800s, seeking economic
  prosperity and fleeing from political and religious persecution
  within the Austrian Empire; in 1850, Josef Arnost Bergmann, a Czech
  Protestant minister, traveled to Texas with his family and settled
  in Cat Spring; he sent word back to his homeland of the freedom and
  opportunity he'd found, and soon many more Czechs began making the
  Atlantic voyage toward the Port of Galveston; and
         WHEREAS, In the decades that followed, Czech communities were
  established across Central Texas, especially in Austin, Fayette,
  Lavaca, and Washington Counties and throughout the Blackland
  Prairie region, where productive farmland was plentiful; Czech
  immigration to Texas continued to grow through the turn of the
  century, with the number of foreign-born Czechs in Texas reaching a
  peak of just over 15,000 in 1910; and
         WHEREAS, The Czech people carried with them a rich culture
  and deeply held traditions, including a strong Catholic faith,
  close-knit family units, and distinctive cuisine, folk art, and
  music; proud of their native language, they promoted the study of
  Czech among their children and supported a thriving journalism
  industry that saw the publication of more than 30 Czech-language
  newspapers and periodicals in Texas; and
         WHEREAS, Thousands of men and women of Czech origin or
  ancestry have made their home in Texas, playing a vital role in the
  social, economic, and civic development of the Lone Star State;
  now, therefore, be it
         RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 85th Texas
  Legislature hereby recognize September 30, 2017, as Czech Heritage
  Day in Texas and honor the contributions of Czechs and people of
  Czech descent to this state.