Texas House Bill HCR91

Texas 2021 - 87th Regular

Caption

Expressing commitment to eliminating racially offensive place names and urging the U.S. Board on Geographic Names to approve requests to change racially offensive names of geographic features.

Impact

The resolution acknowledges the persistence of at least 28 geographic features in Texas with racially offensive names, despite prior commitments to address this issue. It underlines the importance of renaming these features to reflect the diversity of the Texan population. Specifically, HCR91 calls for actions that would potentially lead to the elimination of these offensive names, thereby influencing public perception and cultural sensitivity regarding geographic identifiers within the state.

Summary

HCR91 is a concurrent resolution proposed by the Texas Legislature urging the U.S. Board on Geographic Names (USBGN) to approve requests to change racially offensive place names in Texas. The resolution stems from a report by the Texas Geographic Names Committee, highlighting that many geographic features in the state continue to bear names that are racially insensitive. This effort aligns with previous legislation passed in 1991 that aimed at eliminating certain derogatory names but has seen limited success over the past three decades.

Contention

Despite the supportive environment for HCR91, there may be points of contention surrounding the implications of renaming established geographical landmarks. Some individuals may argue about the costs, logistics, or cultural significance tied to existing names. Furthermore, there is a possibility that certain groups may resist changes to names they feel are integral to local history, leading to debates about tradition versus the necessity for cultural awareness and inclusivity.