86R36213 BK-D
 
  By: White H.R. No. 2108
 
 
 
R E S O L U T I O N
         WHEREAS, The members of the Alabama-Coushatta Tribe of Texas
  are mourning the loss of a respected and beloved leader with the
  passing of Chief Mikko Colabe III Clem Fain Sylestine on May 21,
  2019, at the age of 91; and
         WHEREAS, Mikko Colabe III was born on November 4, 1927, on the
  Alabama-Coushatta Indian Reservation to Bronson Cooper Sylestine,
  the tribe's principal chief from 1936 to 1969, and Monzanda
  Thompson Sylestine; a member of the Granddaddy Long Legs Clan, he
  was a direct descendant of Chief Colabe, who served as the second
  chief to the Principal Chief Antone in the early 1800s; he was also
  the husband of the late Leona Abbey Sylestine, a well-known
  artisan; and
         WHEREAS, After graduating with a bachelor's degree from
  Austin College in Sherman in 1952, Mikko Colabe III worked as a
  teacher and coach at the Woodville and Goodrich school districts
  and at Southmayd, Holland, and Shepherd High Schools until his
  retirement in 1988; he was also employed by the Sam Houston Electric
  Cooperative, which assigned him to work directly with his community
  as a job developer through the Job Training Partnership Act; and
         WHEREAS, Chief Colabe III was an influential member of his
  tribe throughout most of his adult life, and his record of service
  included his election to the Tribal Council and his appointment as
  its chair; he went on to follow in the footsteps of his father by
  being elected second chief of the tribe on October 19, 1994; after
  nearly two decades in that post, he was named principal chief on
  October 5, 2013; he also shared his time and wisdom as an elder at
  the Indian Village Presbyterian Church located on the reservation;
  and
         WHEREAS, Guided by his steadfast concern for the needs of his
  people, Chief Mikko Colabe III lived a rich and purposeful life, and
  he will be remembered with lasting admiration and gratitude by the
  community he so faithfully served; now, therefore, be it
         RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 86th Texas
  Legislature hereby pay tribute to the memory of Chief Mikko Colabe
  III Clem Fain Sylestine and extend deepest condolences to all those
  who mourn his passing; and, be it further
         RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
  prepared for his family and that when the Texas House of
  Representatives adjourns this day, it do so in memory of Chief Mikko
  Colabe III.