88R26715 CJM-D
 
  By: Morales of Maverick H.R. No. 2499
 
 
 
R E S O L U T I O N
         WHEREAS, The members of the Kickapoo Traditional Tribe of
  Texas are the descendants of a proud people who have lived in Texas
  and northern Mexico for nearly two centuries; and
         WHEREAS, Also known as the Kiikaapoa, the Kickapoos are an
  Algonquian-speaking people who once lived a seminomadic lifestyle
  in the Great Lakes region; a group of Kickapoos settled in Texas in
  the 1830s and later moved through the Eagle Pass area into Mexico;
  in the 1850s, the Mexican government awarded the Kickapoos land at
  El Nacimiento, Coahuila, located around 130 miles south of Eagle
  Pass; and
         WHEREAS, Given special status to pass and repass the
  U.S.-Mexico border, members of the tribe traveled back and forth
  between the two countries for seasonal farm work; in 1983, the U.S.
  government instructed the Secretary of the Interior to take land
  into trust for the Kickapoos in Maverick County; and
         WHEREAS, The Kickapoo Traditional Tribe of Texas was
  officially recognized by the Texas Indian Commission in 1977 and
  received federal recognition in 1983, and today more than 1,100
  members are enrolled in the tribe; the tribe is represented by a
  tribal government, which provides members with a range of important
  services and operates the Kickapoo Lucky Eagle Casino and Hotel,
  along with other business ventures; in addition to generating
  revenue for the health, housing, education, and economic
  development of tribal members, the casino has served as a powerful
  economic engine for the surrounding community, drawing numerous
  other businesses and jobs to the area; and
         WHEREAS, Celebrating their rich heritage as they work to
  build an even better tomorrow, the people of the Kickapoo Tribe may
  indeed take great pride in their unique contributions to the
  history and culture of the Lone Star State; now, therefore, be it
         RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 88th Texas
  Legislature hereby recognize the Kickapoo Traditional Tribe of
  Texas and extend to its members sincere best wishes for the future;
  and, be it further
         RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
  prepared for the tribe as an expression of high regard by the Texas
  House of Representatives.