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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, Many proud Texans are gathering in celebration of |
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Tejano Day on April 6, 2025; and |
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WHEREAS, Tejano men and women were the founders of the |
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state's oldest permanent communities, including the cities of San |
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Antonio, Nacogdoches, Victoria, Goliad, and El Paso; members of the |
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Navarro, Ruiz, Menchaca, Arocha, and Seguin families were |
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instrumental in settling the region and negotiating peace with the |
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Comanches and other tribes; the present-day names of many of our |
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state's waterways and other natural features were bestowed by |
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Tejanos of Spanish, Mexican, African, and Indigenous descent; and |
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WHEREAS, On April 6, 1813, Tejanos became the first settlers |
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to proclaim independence for Texas; that year, many of them fought |
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the Spanish in the Battle of Medina, the deadliest military action |
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in Texas history; prominent Tejanos José Antonio Navarro and José |
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Francisco Ruiz were signers of the Texas Declaration of |
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Independence in 1836; among the numerous Tejanos who sacrificed |
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their lives during the Texas Revolution were two heroes of the |
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Alamo, Gregorio Esparza and José Toribio Losoya; troops led by |
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Plácido Benavides fought bravely across South Texas, and the men of |
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Juan Seguín's company helped secure the decisive victory at the |
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Battle of San Jacinto; and |
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WHEREAS, Many Tejanos were early champions of free speech, |
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freedom of the press, and public education, and that tradition has |
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continued; in the 20th century, prominent advocates for these |
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essential values included journalist Jovita Idár, bilingual |
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education activist Felix Tijerina, and civil rights attorney |
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John J. Herrera; countless Tejanos have served with enormous |
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distinction in the armed forces, among them recipients of the |
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military's highest commendation for valor, the Medal of Honor; |
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World War II veteran Héctor P. García founded the American GI Forum |
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of Texas to secure the rights of fellow Hispanic veterans; and |
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WHEREAS, Today, Texas culture reflects the wide-ranging |
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contributions of Tejanos; their rodeos, expert horsemanship, and |
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longhorn cattle-raising traditions became part of Western |
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identity; Tejanos fused the flavors and ingredients of Mexico and |
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the United States to create the iconic Tex-Mex cuisine, and they |
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combined musical styles to develop popular new genres; Lydia |
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Mendoza, Flaco Jiménez, Selena, and other Tejano greats have |
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influenced artists throughout Texas and far beyond our borders; and |
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WHEREAS, In 2021, the Texas Legislature officially |
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designated April 6 as Tejano Day, and this annual observance |
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provides a welcome opportunity to recognize the vital role that |
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Tejanos have played in the epic saga of the Lone Star State for more |
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than 300 years; now, therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 89th Texas |
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Legislature hereby commemorate Tejano Day 2025. |