SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 1049
WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas is pleased to
recognize the members of the Williams-Livingston family on the
grand occasion of their family reunion, which is being held June
5 through 7, 2009; and
WHEREAS, Every year, on the first Saturday of June, members
of the Williams-Livingston family hold a reunion to celebrate
their heritage and to commemorate the birth of Mamie Elizabeth
"Mama Mae" Williams; they invite friends from across Texas and
the United States and descendants of other branches of the family
to share their celebration of love for their family and
community; and
WHEREAS, The reunion features a family talent show, an
old-fashioned fish fry, and a recital of the family's history;
the Mamie E. Williams Humanitarian Award is given to one family
member for unselfish service to the family, and recognition is
given for graduations, academic and athletic accomplishments,
marriages, anniversaries, and births; family members who have
died since the last reunion are recognized and remembered with a
moment of silence; and
WHEREAS, Each year, a new set of family members takes the
helm on duties and responsibilities of preparing for and
coordinating the reunion and passing on the family history; and
WHEREAS, Family history reveals that the Charles and
Caroline Livingston families arrived in the Freestone County
area in the early 1800s; and
WHEREAS, Charles Livingston's family moved from Virginia
as freed slaves and settled in the Freestone County area known as
Cotton Gin and sharecropped on local farms; and
WHEREAS, Caroline Livingston's family moved from Alabama
to Kirvin in Freestone County; they arrived in covered wagons, on
horseback, and on foot; they settled on the Alfred Carter farm
and worked his land; and
WHEREAS, Caroline and Charles Livingston's children,
Elbert Jefferson, Fannie, Foster, Elizabeth, and Callie,
supported their community and were instrumental in establishing
the Woods Chapel Primitive Baptist Church; they also helped
create a public school system; and
WHEREAS, The members of the Williams-Livingston family who
host the annual reunion are the descendants of Caroline and
Charles Livingston's daughter Elizabeth Livingston; born July 2,
1866, she married Austin Williams, a freed slave from Tennessee,
and the couple had 10 children; Mamie Elizabeth "Mama Mae"
Williams, born June 1, 1889, was one of those children; and
WHEREAS, Mamie Elizabeth "Mama Mae" Williams was the
matriarch of the Williams-Livingston family until October 13,
1987, when she died at the age of 98; her daughters and their
families had scattered across Texas to Dallas, Fort Worth,
Houston, and San Antonio, where many of the Williams-Livingston
family members reside and work today; and
WHEREAS, The Williams-Livingston family members are
successful men and women who have contributed greatly to their
communities through their leadership, professionalism, and
concern for others; and
WHEREAS, They are exemplary citizens who believe strongly
in traditional values and instill in their children the virtues
of love and hard work; and
WHEREAS, The annual Williams-Livingston reunion is the
manifestation of the family's belief in unity, loyalty, and pride
in one's heritage; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 81st
Legislature, hereby extend to the members of the
Williams-Livingston family best wishes for a joyous and memorable
family reunion and proclaim June 6, 2009, Williams-Livingston Day in
Texas; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared for
the family as a memento of this special occasion.
West
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President of the Senate
I hereby certify that the
above Resolution was adopted by
the Senate on May 27, 2009.
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Secretary of the Senate
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Member, Texas Senate