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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, November 26, 2020, marks the annual celebration of |
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Thanksgiving, an occasion when Americans gather among loved ones |
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and recount the year's bounties and blessings; and |
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WHEREAS, Thanksgiving is among our oldest and most cherished |
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traditions, a holiday whose history intertwines closely with the |
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narrative of our nation and whose spirit of fellowship and goodwill |
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has endured through all times of triumph and uncertainty; and |
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WHEREAS, Its origins can be traced nearly four centuries ago |
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to the year 1620, when the Pilgrims made landfall on Plymouth Rock; |
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finding themselves inadequately prepared for the harsh New England |
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winter, they took refuge in prayer and were at last assisted by a |
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tribe of Native Americans, whose knowledge of the land helped them |
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to reap a plentiful harvest; the grateful settlers declared a |
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three-day feast to honor the kindness of their newfound friends and |
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to acknowledge the grace of God in seeing them through their time of |
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hardship; and |
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WHEREAS, Thanksgiving was first observed in the fledgling |
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United States in 1789, one year after the adoption of the |
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Constitution; during the inaugural session of Congress, a |
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resolution was put forth calling on President George Washington to |
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enact "a day of public thanksgiving" to God for allowing the |
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American people to establish a peaceful rule of government; |
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President Washington agreed and, in his first proclamation to the |
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nation, invited Americans to reflect on the gifts of tranquility, |
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unity, and prosperity bestowed on them; and |
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WHEREAS, It was decades later, when the fate of the union was |
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imperiled during the dark days of the Civil War, that President |
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Abraham Lincoln delivered his famous Thanksgiving Day proclamation |
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calling for "the Almighty hand" to heal and restore the nation; |
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since that time, a presidential Thanksgiving proclamation has been |
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issued by each of his successors; and |
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WHEREAS, On this most American of holidays, individuals from |
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all walks of life cast aside troubles and disagreements to treasure |
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the comforts of hearth and kin; mindful of the freedom and security |
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that we continue to enjoy, Americans honor the service and |
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sacrifice of members of our armed forces and all those at home who |
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confront danger to ensure the safety of their communities; we |
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extend thanks to the many people who enrich our lives in ways great |
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and small, and we strive to share our abundance with fellow citizens |
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in need; and |
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WHEREAS, Signifying the bonds of faith, friendship, and |
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family from which we have always drawn our deepest strength, |
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Thanksgiving is redolent of the brighter dawn that has always |
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awaited us, and it is a great pleasure to join with our countrymen |
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and countrywomen to reflect on this historic and joyous occasion; |
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now, therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 86th Texas |
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Legislature hereby commemorate Thanksgiving 2020. |
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Price |
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______________________________ |
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Speaker of the House |
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I certify that H.R. No. 2137 was adopted by the House on |
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May |
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27, 2019, by a non-record vote. |
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______________________________ |
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Chief Clerk of the House |
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