87R24963 CJM-D
 
  By: Raymond H.R. No. 1099
 
 
 
R E S O L U T I O N
         WHEREAS, El Camino Real de los Tejas National Historic Trail
  Association plays a vital role in the preservation of one of the
  most significant historic routes through the Lone Star State; and
         WHEREAS, Stretching from the Rio Grande to Louisiana, El
  Camino Real de los Tejas began as a series of trails and trade
  routes used by the indigenous peoples of Texas; it was named for a
  prominent Caddo group known as the Tejas, a Caddo word that means
  "friend" or "ally"; and
         WHEREAS, In the 17th century, the route was used by Spanish
  explorers, soldiers, and priests as they moved into this vast
  region; under Spanish rule, the trail became known as a camino real,
  or royal road, serving as a political, economic, and cultural link
  between Mexico City and what is now East Texas and Louisiana; in
  later years, it was used by ranchers for cattle drives, by Anglo
  settlers emigrating to Texas, and by slaves seeking their freedom;
  and
         WHEREAS, In 1915, the Texas Legislature appropriated money
  for a survey of the historic trail, and in 1918, markers were set up
  along a route of the trail commonly known as the Old San Antonio
  Road; in 1929, the legislature designated the route as one of the
  historic trails of Texas, and in 2004, it was designated by the U.S.
  Congress as a National Historic Trail, running from Laredo to
  Natchitoches, Louisiana, with branches passing through San
  Antonio, Austin, and Nacogdoches; El Camino Real de los Tejas was
  also recognized as a Texas historic highway by the state
  legislature in 2011; and
         WHEREAS, Established as a nonprofit organization in 2007, El
  Camino Real de los Tejas National Historic Trail Association seeks
  to preserve the historic integrity of the trail, to educate the
  public about its significance, and to promote resource development
  and tourism along the trail; it maintains strong partnerships with
  local, state, and federal agencies as well as with organizations in
  Mexico and Spain; originally founded at Texas State University in
  San Marcos, the association now calls Austin home, and it benefits
  from the efforts of its full-time executive director, as well as its
  staff and the members of its board; and
         WHEREAS, For several centuries, El Camino Real de los Tejas
  was the main overland route from the valley of the Rio Grande to the
  watershed of the Red River, and by celebrating and protecting its
  heritage, El Camino Real de los Tejas National Historic Trail
  Association is performing an invaluable service for the citizens of
  Texas; now, therefore, be it
         RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 87th Texas
  Legislature hereby pay tribute to the work of El Camino Real de los
  Tejas National Historic Trail Association and extend to all those
  affiliated with the association sincere best wishes for continued
  success; and, be it further
         RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
  prepared for El Camino Real de los Tejas National Historic Trail
  Association as an expression of high regard by the Texas House of
  Representatives.