| 1 | 1 | | H.R. No. 2604 |
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| 3 | 3 | | |
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| 4 | 4 | | R E S O L U T I O N |
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| 5 | 5 | | WHEREAS, Harold T. Thomas has proven himself to be a valued |
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| 6 | 6 | | supporter of the Juneteenth celebration in Galveston; and |
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| 7 | 7 | | WHEREAS, An official state holiday since 1980, Juneteenth |
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| 8 | 8 | | celebrates an important milestone in human rights in Texas, the |
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| 9 | 9 | | first reading of the Emancipation Proclamation in Galveston on June |
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| 10 | 10 | | 19, 1865, by Union general Gordon Granger, which effectively freed |
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| 11 | 11 | | the 250,000 slaves in Texas at the end of the Civil War; and |
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| 12 | 12 | | WHEREAS, Mr. Thomas enhances his community through his |
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| 13 | 13 | | contributions as the publisher of the Galveston County Observer |
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| 14 | 14 | | News, the only African American newspaper serving Galveston County; |
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| 15 | 15 | | and |
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| 16 | 16 | | WHEREAS, This public-spirited citizen has provided |
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| 17 | 17 | | outstanding news coverage of the Juneteenth celebrations on |
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| 18 | 18 | | Galveston Island for more than 17 years; as part of that effort, he |
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| 19 | 19 | | has reported on the Ashton Villa Emancipation Prayer Vigil and |
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| 20 | 20 | | Breakfast and the Juneteenth Banquet at the historic Old Central |
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| 21 | 21 | | Cultural Center for the past 12 years, and his work in keeping the |
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| 22 | 22 | | public informed has contributed to increased participation in the |
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| 23 | 23 | | observance; and |
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| 24 | 24 | | WHEREAS, Through his dedication, Harold Thomas has helped to |
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| 25 | 25 | | heighten awareness of the history of Juneteenth for visitors and |
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| 26 | 26 | | residents of Galveston alike; now, therefore, be it |
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| 27 | 27 | | RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 81st Texas |
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| 28 | 28 | | Legislature hereby commend Harold T. Thomas for his outstanding |
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| 29 | 29 | | contributions in behalf of Juneteenth activities in Galveston and |
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| 30 | 30 | | extend to him sincere best wishes for continued success and |
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| 31 | 31 | | happiness; and, be it further |
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| 32 | 32 | | RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be |
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| 33 | 33 | | prepared for Mr. Thomas as an expression of high regard by the Texas |
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| 34 | 34 | | House of Representatives. |
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| 35 | 35 | | Edwards |
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| 36 | 36 | | ______________________________ |
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| 37 | 37 | | Speaker of the House |
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| 38 | 38 | | I certify that H.R. No. 2604 was adopted by the House on May |
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| 39 | 39 | | 31, 2009, by a non-record vote. |
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| 40 | 40 | | ______________________________ |
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| 41 | 41 | | Chief Clerk of the House |
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