By: Anchia H.R. No. 38
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, The observance of Basque American Day on June 29,
2018, provides an ideal opportunity to celebrate a rich and
venerable heritage; and
WHEREAS, In 2016, the Smithsonian Folklife Festival in
Washington, D.C., highlighted the culture of the Basques; a number
of state officials across the country set aside June 29 of that year
to recognize Basque Americans, who trace their roots to one of the
oldest indigenous enclaves in Europe, one that spans the Pyrenees
Mountains in northern Spain and southwestern France; and
WHEREAS, Basques were among the earliest Europeans to visit
the Americas, beginning with the earliest whale and cod fishing on
the east coast, and transatlantic commercial trading; Christopher
Columbus' flagship, the Santa Maria, was built in Basque shipyards,
and all three vessels in his expedition had Basque expert sailors as
crew members; as the exploration and settlement of the New World
proceeded, Basques were especially involved in building and manning
ships and maintaining the commercial trade that kept supplies
flowing to American colonies; and
WHEREAS, Many Basques played a prominent role in the early
history of Texas; in 1541, a number of Basque men accompanied
Francisco Vásquez de Coronado on his quest for the Seven Cities of
Gold; over a century later, Basque priest Francisco Ayeta founded
three missions near present-day El Paso, which were among the first
European
outposts in the state; Juan Bautista Elguézabal was
interim governor of Texas at the time of the Louisiana Purchase, and
his son, Juan José Elguézabal, born in San Antonio de Béxar, later
served in the same capacity; Augustín de Itúrbide, the
self-proclaimed emperor of Mexico, signed the first permit for
Stephen F. Austin's Anglo American colony in 1823; and
WHEREAS, During the 19th and early 20th centuries, waves of
immigrants from the Basque region sought greater opportunity in the
United States, principally in the West, and they won admiration for
their strong work ethic and expertise in business and agriculture;
Basques have contributed to the development of our nation since its
inception, and today, proud Americans of Basque descent continue to
enrich its culture and enhance its prosperity; now, therefore, be
it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 85th Texas
Legislature, 1st Called Session, hereby recognize June 29, 2018, as
Basque American Day.