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SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 725
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WHEREAS, The descendants of Gregorio and Ana Esparza are |
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gathering in Floresville on July 13, 2019, for their much |
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anticipated family reunion; and |
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WHEREAS, Gregorio Esparza was one of the last Alamo |
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defenders to join the garrison during the Texas Revolution, |
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contributing to the cause as Juan Seguín's best gunner and a |
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small artillery expert; he was slain in battle while manning a |
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cannon at the back of the chapel, but his wife, Ana Salazar de |
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Esparza, and their children, Maria de Jesus Castro and Enrique, |
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Manuel, and Francisco Esparza, were among the few to survive; and |
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WHEREAS, Following the Texans' defeat, Ms. Esparza and her |
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husband's brother, Francisco, who served as a soldier in the |
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Mexican Army under General Cos, obtained permission to bury |
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Gregorio Esparza's body; he was the only defender of the garrison |
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allowed Christian burial rites; and |
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WHEREAS, Decades passed, and in the 1860s, the Esparzas' |
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three sons received preemptive claims in Atascosa County, where |
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they settled with their families to farm and ranch; Enrique |
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Esparza and his wife, Gertrudes Hernandez Esparza, deeded five |
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acres of their land to the Catholic Diocese and were |
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instrumental in establishing the county's first Catholic church |
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and school; and |
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WHEREAS, Over the years, the descendants of Gregorio and |
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Ana Esparza have come together to share in one another's company |
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and to celebrate the rich heritage that has united them for |
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generations, and it is indeed a pleasure to recognize this |
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special occasion; now, therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 86th |
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Legislature, hereby commemorate the sixth Gregorio and Ana |
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Esparza Family Reunion and extend to all those in attendance |
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sincere best wishes for a memorable and enjoyable event; 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 family as an expression of high regard by the |
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Texas Senate. |
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Flores |
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________________________________ |
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President of the Senate |
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I hereby certify that the |
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above Resolution was adopted by |
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the Senate on May 9, 2019. |
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________________________________ |
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Secretary of the Senate |
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________________________________ |
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Member, Texas Senate |