H.R. No. 28
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, November 26, 2015, marks the annual celebration of
Thanksgiving, an occasion when Americans gather among loved ones
and recount the year's bounties and blessings; and
WHEREAS, Thanksgiving is among our oldest and most cherished
traditions, a holiday whose history intertwines closely with the
narrative of our nation and whose spirit of fellowship and goodwill
has endured through all times of triumph and uncertainty; and
WHEREAS, Its origins can be traced nearly four centuries ago
to the year 1620, when the Pilgrims made landfall on Plymouth Rock;
finding themselves inadequately prepared for the harsh New England
winter, they took refuge in prayer and were at last assisted by a
tribe of Native Americans, whose knowledge of the land helped them
to reap a plentiful harvest; the grateful settlers declared a
three-day feast to honor the kindness of their newfound friends and
to acknowledge the grace of God in seeing them through their time of
hardship; and
WHEREAS, Thanksgiving was first observed in the fledgling
United States in 1789, one year after the adoption of the
Constitution; during the inaugural session of Congress, a
resolution was put forth calling on President George Washington to
enact "a day of public thanksgiving" to God for allowing the
American people to establish a peaceful rule of government;
President Washington agreed, and in his first proclamation to the
nation, invited Americans to reflect on the gifts of tranquility,
unity, and prosperity bestowed on them; and
WHEREAS, It was decades later, when the fate of the union was
imperiled during the dark days of the Civil War, that President
Abraham Lincoln delivered his famous Thanksgiving Day proclamation
calling for "the Almighty hand" to heal and restore the nation;
since that time, a presidential Thanksgiving proclamation has been
issued by each of his successors; and
WHEREAS, On this most American of holidays, individuals from
all walks of life cast aside troubles and disagreements to treasure
the comforts of hearth and kin; mindful of the freedom and security
that we continue to enjoy, Americans honor the service and
sacrifice of members of our armed forces and all those at home who
confront danger to ensure the safety of their communities; we
extend thanks to the many people who enrich our lives in ways great
and small, and we strive to share our abundance with fellow citizens
in need; and
WHEREAS, Signifying the bonds of faith, friendship, and
family from which we have always drawn our deepest strength,
Thanksgiving is redolent of the brighter dawn that has always
awaited us, and it is a great pleasure to join with our countrymen
and countrywomen to reflect on this historic and joyous occasion;
now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 84th Texas
Legislature hereby commemorate Thanksgiving 2015.
Price
______________________________
Speaker of the House
I certify that H.R. No. 28 was adopted by the House on
February 19, 2015, by a non-record vote.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House