87R13356 BHH-D
 
  By: Miles S.C.R. No. 29
 
 
 
CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
         WHEREAS, Members of the Texas Geographic Names Committee and
  the U.S. Board on Geographic Names have issued a report which shows
  that there are at least 28 geographic features in Texas with
  racially offensive names; and
         WHEREAS, In 1991, the Texas Legislature passed H.B. 1756,
  relating to the elimination of certain racially offensive names of
  geographic features; the act requires the renaming of any
  geographic feature with a name containing the word "Negro," yet in
  the 30 years since the law was passed, 17 of the 19 place names
  detailed in the act remain unchanged; and
         WHEREAS, Changes to place names require the approval of the
  U.S. Board on Geographic Names, which in 1998 rejected the names
  proposed by H.B. 1756; however, the names were submitted for
  reconsideration at a recent meeting of the USBGN and will be
  considered for validation and acceptance no later than June 2021;
  and
         WHEREAS, In addition to those currently under
  reconsideration, the USBGN has identified 11 other place names in
  Texas containing the slur, in contravention of Section 3 of H.B.
  1756; there are currently no proposals to change these names, and
  the board's protocol requires a formal proposal be submitted in
  order to consider any changes; the board encourages Texas to seek
  proponents to submit a proposal for each of these names; and
         WHEREAS, The perpetuation of racially offensive language is a
  stain on the Lone Star State, and it is vital that the names of these
  geographic features be changed in order to reflect and honor the
  diversity of the population; now, therefore, be it
         RESOLVED, That the 87th Legislature of the State of Texas
  hereby urge the U.S. Board on Geographic Names to approve requests
  to change racially offensive place names in accordance with Texas
  H.B. 1756.