SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 148
         WHEREAS, The Texas Senate takes great pleasure in
  recognizing Mrs. Opal Lee, the "Grandmother of Juneteenth," who
  is being honored at the Texas Capitol on February 8, 2023, at a
  special event to celebrate the unveiling of her portrait, which
  will be placed on permanent display in the Senate Chamber; and
 
         WHEREAS, Commissioned by the Texas Senate and created by
  native Texas artist Jess W. Coleman, the portrait of Mrs. Opal
  Lee honors her remarkable life and achievements and commemorates
  the indelible mark her contributions have made in the history of
  our great state and nation; and
 
         WHEREAS, A native Texan born in Marshall and raised in Fort
  Worth, Mrs. Opal Lee was inspired from an early age to seek to
  better the world around her and to become an advocate for social
  justice and civil rights; rising above many of the challenges of
  racial oppression, she embarked on a career in education, and she
  became a tireless champion for civil rights and an esteemed
  community leader whose positive impact is recognized throughout
  the nation and has been acknowledged around the globe; and
 
         WHEREAS, In 2016, at the age of 89, Mrs. Opal Lee launched
  a campaign to create a wider awareness across the country about
  the meaning of Juneteenth, the annual day commemorating the end
  of slavery in Texas; Mrs. Lee began observing the June 19 holiday
  while she was still a young girl living in Marshall, and for
  decades, she has organized events in Fort Worth in celebration of
  Juneteenth; and
 
         WHEREAS, Mrs. Opal Lee long dreamed of making the annual
  observance of Juneteenth in Texas into a national holiday, and in
  her efforts to achieve this goal, she spoke to the media and
  numerous groups about her cause and gathered one-and-a-half
  million signatures on a petition that she delivered to the United
  States Congress; and
 
         WHEREAS, In 2021, Mrs. Opal Lee accomplished her mission
  when legislation designating Juneteenth as a federal holiday was
  passed; she joined President Joe Biden at the White House to
  witness the signing of the Juneteenth legislation, and with this
  historic achievement, the nation gained its first new federal
  holiday since Martin Luther King Jr. Day was signed into law in
  1983; and
         WHEREAS, Long admired for her exceptional contributions to
  her community and state, Mrs. Lee has created an enduring legacy
  in the State of Texas and in the nation; in 2022, she was
  nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize by 33 members of the United
  States Congress in recognition of her outstanding efforts in
  gaining national recognition for Juneteenth; and
 
         WHEREAS, Mrs. Opal Lee's steadfast dedication to a vision
  of liberty and justice is a source of tremendous inspiration to
  all, and it is indeed fitting that a portrait of her be displayed
  permanently in the Senate Chamber at the Texas Capitol; now,
  therefore, be it
 
         RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 88th
  Legislature, hereby pay tribute to Mrs. Opal Lee and extend to
  her its sincere respect, admiration, and appreciation; and, be
  it further
 
         RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared in
  honor of this very special occasion.
 
  West
 
 
 
Alvarado Hancock Miles
 
Bettencourt Hinojosa Nichols
 
Birdwell Huffman Parker
 
Blanco Hughes Paxton
 
Campbell Johnson Perry
 
Creighton King Schwertner
 
Eckhardt Kolkhorst Sparks
 
Flores LaMantia Springer
 
Gutierrez Menéndez Whitmire
 
Hall Middleton Zaffirini
 
  Patrick, President of the Senate
   
   
    ________________________________ 
        President of the Senate
     
        I hereby certify that the
    above Resolution was adopted by
    the Senate on February 8, 2023.
   
   
    ________________________________ 
        Secretary of the Senate
   
   
    ________________________________ 
         Member, Texas Senate