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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, March 2020 marks the 10th anniversary of the |
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unveiling of the African American Legislators Monument in the Texas |
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State Cemetery, providing a fitting opportunity to reflect on this |
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remarkable monument's impact and the history it represents; and |
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WHEREAS, In March 2010, a monument in honor of the African |
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Americans who served in the Texas Legislature between 1868 and 1900 |
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and in the Constitutional Conventions of 1868-1869 and 1875 was |
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unveiled on the grounds of the Texas State Cemetery; and |
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WHEREAS, After the emancipation of slaves in June 1865, Black |
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Codes were passed by several cities in Texas to restrict the rights |
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of newly freed African Americans; it took the intervention of |
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Congress and the U.S. military in 1867 to allow their transition to |
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freedom to begin in earnest; and |
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WHEREAS, By the end of the 19th century, 52 African Americans |
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in Texas had served in 14 legislatures and 2 constitutional |
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conventions; before discriminatory laws and practices around the |
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turn of the 20th century succeeded in excluding blacks once again |
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from political life, these men engaged in the most pressing issues |
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of the day and worked for the betterment of their communities and |
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the benefit of all Texans; and |
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WHEREAS, Among the critical needs these black legislators |
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addressed were the safeguarding of voting rights for African |
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Americans, the elimination of widespread violence against blacks, |
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the opportunity for educational advancement, the protection of |
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skilled and agricultural workers, the reform of the prison system, |
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and the defense of the frontier; black legislators also fought to |
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end segregation in railroad passenger cars and to eliminate the |
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poll tax; their lasting achievements included the creation of Texas |
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Agricultural and Mechanical College and Prairie View Normal |
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Institute; and |
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WHEREAS, Representing a wide variety of backgrounds, |
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experiences, and occupations, these dedicated public servants |
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advocated tirelessly in behalf of civil rights for all Texans, and |
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the African American Legislators Monument at the Texas State |
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Cemetery pays fitting tribute to their memory; now, therefore, be |
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it |
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RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 86th Texas |
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Legislature hereby commemorate the 10th anniversary of the |
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unveiling of the African American Legislators Monument in the Texas |
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State Cemetery and extend sincere appreciation to all those who |
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played a part in bringing the project to fruition. |