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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, The members of the Kickapoo Traditional Tribe of |
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Texas are the descendants of a proud people who have lived in Texas |
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and northern Mexico for nearly two centuries; and |
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WHEREAS, Also known as the Kiikaapoa, the Kickapoos are an |
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Algonquian-speaking people who once lived a seminomadic lifestyle |
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in the Great Lakes region; a group of Kickapoos settled in Texas in |
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the 1830s and later moved through the Eagle Pass area into Mexico; |
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in the 1850s, the Mexican government awarded the Kickapoos land at |
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El Nacimiento, Coahuila, located around 130 miles south of Eagle |
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Pass; and |
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WHEREAS, Given special status to pass and repass the |
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U.S.-Mexico border, members of the tribe traveled back and forth |
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between the two countries for seasonal farm work; in 1983, the U.S. |
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government instructed the Secretary of the Interior to take land |
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into trust for the Kickapoos in Maverick County; and |
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WHEREAS, The Kickapoo Traditional Tribe of Texas was |
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officially recognized by the Texas Indian Commission in 1977 and |
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received federal recognition in 1983, and today more than 1,100 |
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members are enrolled in the tribe; the tribe is represented by a |
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tribal government, which provides members with a range of important |
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services and operates the Kickapoo Lucky Eagle Casino and Hotel, |
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along with other business ventures; in addition to generating |
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revenue for the health, housing, education, and economic |
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development of tribal members, the casino has served as a powerful |
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economic engine for the surrounding community, drawing numerous |
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other businesses and jobs to the area; and |
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WHEREAS, Celebrating their rich heritage as they work to |
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build an even better tomorrow, the people of the Kickapoo Tribe may |
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indeed take great pride in their unique contributions to the |
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history and culture of the Lone Star State; now, therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 88th Texas |
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Legislature hereby recognize the Kickapoo Traditional Tribe of |
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Texas and extend to its members sincere best wishes for the future; |
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and, be it further |
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RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be |
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prepared for the tribe as an expression of high regard by the Texas |
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House of Representatives. |