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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, A rich and purposeful life has drawn to a close with |
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the death of Tanya Debose of Houston on January 30, 2025, at the age |
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of 58; and |
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WHEREAS, An advocate for preserving African American history |
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and culture, Tanya Debose was born on April 4, 1966, and she was |
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best known for her work in the Independence Heights neighborhood of |
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Houston; she had deep roots in the community, as her |
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great-grandfather was one of the early pioneers to purchase land in |
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what became the first African American municipality in Texas; and |
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WHEREAS, Ms. Debose founded Preserving Communities of Color, |
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which focuses on protecting historic communities of color by |
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transforming them into inclusive cultural destinations; the |
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initiative consists of an annual conference bringing together |
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community advocates, civic leaders, scholars, and elected |
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officials, and it provides support to historic communities of |
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color, connecting them with tools and resources; and |
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WHEREAS, Ms. Debose participated in several national |
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initiatives, including the Historic Black Towns and Settlements |
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Alliance, where she spearheaded media campaigns aimed at raising |
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awareness of historic Black towns; in more recent years, Ms. Debose |
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coordinated a summit with the goal of building a national heritage |
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corridor across multiple states to connect leaders and promote |
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awareness of all-Black towns created after the Civil War; she made |
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efforts to create a statewide consortium of heritage councils with |
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the goal of fostering the preservation of African American history |
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and culture in the Lone Star State; and |
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WHEREAS, An engaged activist and an effective community |
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leader, Tanya Debose earned the lasting respect of all who were |
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privileged to know her, and she will forever be remembered with |
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great admiration and affection; now, therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 89th Texas |
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Legislature hereby pay tribute to the memory of Tanya Debose and |
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extend heartfelt sympathy to her family and friends; and, be it |
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further |
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RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be |
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prepared for her family and that when the Texas House of |
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Representatives adjourns this day, it do so in memory of Tanya |
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Debose. |
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Ward Johnson |
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______________________________ |
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Speaker of the House |
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I certify that H.R. No. 476 was unanimously adopted by a |
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rising vote of the House on March 31, 2025. |
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______________________________ |
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Chief Clerk of the House |
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