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SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
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WHEREAS, The people of the Mount Tabor Indian Community of |
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East Texas, whose history in this state spans more than 170 years, |
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take enormous pride in the rich heritage that they share; and |
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WHEREAS, Composed of individuals of Cherokee, Yowani |
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Choctaw, Chickasaw, and Muscogee-Creek ancestry, the Mount Tabor |
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community traces its origins to about the year 1845, when a party of |
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families led by John Adair Bell immigrated to Texas and settled |
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approximately six miles south of present-day Kilgore; the community |
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came to be known as Mount Tabor, after the name of the plantation |
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that Mr. Bell established in Rusk County; during the Civil War, the |
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Mount Tabor community swelled with an influx of Cherokee who were |
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supportive of the Confederacy and who were fleeing the fighting in |
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Indian Territory; among their number were the wife and children of |
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Confederate general Stand Watie; following the end of the war, |
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residents of Mount Tabor began to disperse; a number returned to the |
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Cherokee Nation in Indian Territory, but many descendants of the |
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early settlers continue to live in Rusk and Smith Counties; and |
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WHEREAS, Those associated with Mount Tabor have maintained |
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ties to a tribal organization since the community's inception; |
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today, the Texas Band of Cherokee Indians of the Mount Tabor Indian |
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Community is a continuation of the Texas Cherokees and Associated |
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Bands (TCAB), which was organized in 1871 by Colonel William Penn |
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Adair; in addition to John Adair Bell and William Penn Adair, |
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notable leaders of the community have included Chief Chicken |
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Trotter, also known as Devereaux Jarrett Bell, who signed the 1843 |
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Treaty of Birds Fort on behalf of the Cherokee, and, in the 20th |
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century, TCAB chairs W. W. Keeler, who served as principal chief of |
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the Cherokee Nation and as CEO of Phillips Petroleum Company, and |
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Foster T. Bean, who served as mayor of Kilgore for more than 20 |
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years; and |
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WHEREAS, The original settlers of Mount Tabor and their |
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descendants have contributed in myriad ways to their communities, |
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their state, and their nation; they have worn the uniform of every |
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branch of this country's armed forces and taken part in every |
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conflict from the Civil War to Iraq and Afghanistan; in civilian |
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life, they have served in roles ranging from police officers and |
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judges to ministers and school teachers; and |
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WHEREAS, Throughout its history, Texas has drawn strength |
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from the great diversity of its people and cultures, and it is a |
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privilege to recognize the Mount Tabor Indian Community for the |
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indelible imprint it has made on the Lone Star State; now, |
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therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the 85th Legislature of the State of Texas |
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hereby recognize the Mount Tabor Indian Community of Texas and |
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commend it on its many valuable contributions to this state; and, be |
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it further |
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RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be |
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prepared for the Mount Tabor Indian Community as an expression of |
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high regard by the Texas House of Representatives and Senate. |
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______________________________ |
______________________________ |
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President of the Senate |
Speaker of the House |
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I hereby certify that S.C.R. No. 25 was adopted by the Senate |
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on April 5, 2017. |
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______________________________ |
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Secretary of the Senate |
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I hereby certify that S.C.R. No. 25 was adopted by the House |
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on April 27, 2017. |
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______________________________ |
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Chief Clerk of the House |
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Approved: |
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______________________________ |
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Date |
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______________________________ |
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Governor |