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CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
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WHEREAS, Proud members of the Alabama-Coushatta Tribe of |
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Texas are gathering in Austin for Alabama-Coushatta Day at the |
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State Capitol on February 15, 2017; and |
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WHEREAS, One of three federally recognized tribes in Texas, |
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the Alabama-Coushatta Tribe was originally two tribes, the Alibamus |
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and the Koasatis, who had a similar culture but lived in adjacent |
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lands in Alabama; starting in the 1760s, the two tribes began to |
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migrate westward into what is now East Texas; and |
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WHEREAS, In 1813, the tribes fought on the side of the |
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revolutionaries in the Mexican War of Independence from Spain, and |
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the new Mexican government granted them tracts of land in gratitude |
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for their service; two decades later, Sam Houston granted the |
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tribes land between the Neches and Sabine Rivers in exchange for not |
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siding with Mexico during the Texas Revolution; members of the |
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tribes served as guides for the Texan army and helped to feed |
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refugees who had fled from Santa Anna's troops; and |
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WHEREAS, Today, there are 1,200 members of the |
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Alabama-Coushatta, half of whom live on the reservation's 10,200 |
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acres in the Big Thicket of East Texas; the tribe is a fully |
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functioning sovereign government, providing a full complement of |
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health and human services, and it is responsible for 250 jobs, |
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including teachers, doctors, and peace officers; members also |
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maintain a health clinic, a day-care center, a solid waste |
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facility, three churches, and retail shops; and |
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WHEREAS, Home to one of the most scenic recreational areas in |
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the Lone Star State, every year, the reservation is visited by |
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nearly 200,000 people who take advantage of the fine opportunities |
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for camping, hiking, and picnicking; the reservation is also home |
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to the newly reopened Naskila Entertainment casino and an annual |
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powwow and music festival; and |
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WHEREAS, Celebrating their rich heritage as they work to |
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build a better tomorrow, the people of the Alabama-Coushatta Tribe |
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may indeed take great pride in their unique contributions to the |
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history and culture of Texas; now, therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the 85th Legislature of the State of Texas |
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hereby recognize February 15, 2017, as Alabama-Coushatta Tribe of |
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Texas Day at the State Capitol and extend to the members of the |
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tribe sincere best wishes for a memorable and meaningful visit to |
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Austin. |