H.R. No. 2579
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, A monument in honor of the African Americans who
served in the Texas Legislature between 1868 and 1900 and in the
Constitutional Conventions of 1868-1869 and 1875 was unveiled on
the grounds of the Texas State Cemetery in March 2010, and it has
since served to educate and inspire countless people; and
WHEREAS, Following emancipation in June 1865, Black Codes
were passed by several cities in Texas to restrict the rights of
African Americans; it was not until 1867, with the intervention of
Congress and the U.S. military, that African Americans began the
transition to freedom in earnest; and
WHEREAS, By the end of the 1800s, 52 African Americans had
served in 2 constitutional conventions and 14 legislatures; before
discriminatory laws and practices succeeded, around the turn of the
20th century, in excluding blacks once again from political life in
Texas, these men engaged in the most pressing issues of the day and
worked for the betterment of their communities and the benefit of
all Texans; and
WHEREAS, Among the critical needs these legislators sought to
address were the safeguarding of African American voting rights and
the defense of blacks against widespread violence, the provision of
educational opportunity, the protection of both skilled and
agricultural workers, the reform of the prison system, and the
defense of the frontier; black legislators also fought to end
segregation in railroad passenger cars and to eliminate the poll
tax; their lasting achievements included the creation of Texas
Agricultural and Mechanical College and Prairie View Normal
Institute; and
WHEREAS, Representing a wide variety of backgrounds,
experience, and occupations, these dedicated public servants
advocated tirelessly in behalf of civil rights for all Texans, and
the African American Legislators Monument at the Texas State
Cemetery pays fitting tribute to their memory; now, therefore, be
it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 82nd Texas
Legislature hereby commemorate the one-year anniversary of the
unveiling of the African American Legislators Monument at the Texas
State Cemetery and extend sincere appreciation to all those
involved in bringing the project to fruition.
Turner
______________________________
Speaker of the House
I certify that H.R. No. 2579 was adopted by the House on May
30, 2011, by a non-record vote.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House