By: Peña (Senate Sponsor - Uresti) H.C.R. No. 81
(In the Senate - Received from the House May 4, 2015;
May 15, 2015, read first time and referred to Committee on
Administration; May 21, 2015, reported favorably by the following
vote: Yeas 6, Nays 0; May 21, 2015, sent to printer.)
Click here to see the committee vote
HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, Lorenzo de Zavala played an integral role in the
history of the Lone Star State, and the placement of a statue of him
on the grounds of the state building that bears his name would be a
fitting commemoration of his outstanding legacy; and
WHEREAS, Born in Tecoh, near Mérida, Yucatán, on October 3,
1788, Lorenzo de Zavala was a lifelong advocate of democratic
ideals; he founded several newspapers and went on to serve as an
official in the Mexican government before becoming a supporter of
Texas independence and the first vice president of the Republic of
Texas; and
WHEREAS, He entered Mexican politics in 1812, and in 1821 he
became a deputy to the Spanish Cortes in Madrid; a leader of the
Federalist Party, Zavala served in the First and Second Mexican
Constituent Congresses and in the Mexican Senate, and he aided in
drafting Mexico's Constitution, but his political views led to his
exile in 1830; he returned to Mexico in 1832, became governor of the
state of Mexico, and then was appointed head of the Mexican legation
in Paris; on learning a short time later that Santa Anna had assumed
dictatorial powers in Mexico, he resigned his position and left
Europe; and
WHEREAS, Zavala moved to Texas in July 1835 and soon emerged
as a leader in the Texas fight for independence from Mexico; he
served as a delegate from Harrisburg at the Consultation at San
Felipe in November 1835 and at the Convention at
Washington-on-the-Brazos in March 1836, when he signed the Texas
Declaration of Independence, helped to draft the new Texas
Constitution, and was unanimously elected as vice president of the
Republic of Texas; and
WHEREAS, Lorenzo de Zavala was a crucial figure in guiding
the fortunes of Texas at a critical juncture in its history, and in
recognition of his lasting contributions, Zavala County and the
Texas State Library and Archives Commission building were named in
his honor; because his life carries a particular resonance for all
who care about the heritage of the Lone Star State, however, placing
his statue on the grounds of the state library would allow current
and future generations to more fully appreciate his achievements;
now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the 84th Legislature of the State of Texas
hereby express support for the placement of a monument to Lorenzo de
Zavala on the grounds of the Texas State Library and Archives
Commission building; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That the 84th Texas Legislature direct the Texas
Facilities Commission to seek approval from the Texas Historical
Commission regarding the form, dimensions, and substance of, and
inscriptions or illustrations on, a monument to Lorenzo de Zavala
and to permit the placement of the monument on the grounds of the
Lorenzo de Zavala State Archives and Library Building; and, be it
further
RESOLVED, That the Texas secretary of state forward an
official copy of this resolution to the executive directors of the
Texas Facilities Commission and the Texas Historical Commission and
to the director and librarian of the Texas State Library and
Archives Commission.
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