S.C.R. No. 25
SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, The people of the Mount Tabor Indian Community of
East Texas, whose history in this state spans more than 170 years,
take enormous pride in the rich heritage that they share; and
WHEREAS, Composed of individuals of Cherokee, Yowani
Choctaw, Chickasaw, and Muscogee-Creek ancestry, the Mount Tabor
community traces its origins to about the year 1845, when a party of
families led by John Adair Bell immigrated to Texas and settled
approximately six miles south of present-day Kilgore; the community
came to be known as Mount Tabor, after the name of the plantation
that Mr. Bell established in Rusk County; during the Civil War, the
Mount Tabor community swelled with an influx of Cherokee who were
supportive of the Confederacy and who were fleeing the fighting in
Indian Territory; among their number were the wife and children of
Confederate general Stand Watie; following the end of the war,
residents of Mount Tabor began to disperse; a number returned to the
Cherokee Nation in Indian Territory, but many descendants of the
early settlers continue to live in Rusk and Smith Counties; and
WHEREAS, Those associated with Mount Tabor have maintained
ties to a tribal organization since the community's inception;
today, the Texas Band of Cherokee Indians of the Mount Tabor Indian
Community is a continuation of the Texas Cherokees and Associated
Bands (TCAB), which was organized in 1871 by Colonel William Penn
Adair; in addition to John Adair Bell and William Penn Adair,
notable leaders of the community have included Chief Chicken
Trotter, also known as Devereaux Jarrett Bell, who signed the 1843
Treaty of Birds Fort on behalf of the Cherokee, and, in the 20th
century, TCAB chairs W. W. Keeler, who served as principal chief of
the Cherokee Nation and as CEO of Phillips Petroleum Company, and
Foster T. Bean, who served as mayor of Kilgore for more than 20
years; and
WHEREAS, The original settlers of Mount Tabor and their
descendants have contributed in myriad ways to their communities,
their state, and their nation; they have worn the uniform of every
branch of this country's armed forces and taken part in every
conflict from the Civil War to Iraq and Afghanistan; in civilian
life, they have served in roles ranging from police officers and
judges to ministers and school teachers; and
WHEREAS, Throughout its history, Texas has drawn strength
from the great diversity of its people and cultures, and it is a
privilege to recognize the Mount Tabor Indian Community for the
indelible imprint it has made on the Lone Star State; now,
therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the 85th Legislature of the State of Texas
hereby recognize the Mount Tabor Indian Community of Texas and
commend it on its many valuable contributions to this state; and, be
it further
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
prepared for the Mount Tabor Indian Community as an expression of
high regard by the Texas House of Representatives and Senate.
______________________________ ______________________________
President of the Senate Speaker of the House
I hereby certify that S.C.R. No. 25 was adopted by the Senate
on April 5, 2017.
______________________________
Secretary of the Senate
I hereby certify that S.C.R. No. 25 was adopted by the House
on April 27, 2017.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House
Approved:
______________________________
Date
______________________________
Governor