SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 650
WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas is pleased to
recognize the ninth anniversary of the installation of the
19th-Century Black Legislators' Monument at the Texas State
Cemetery; and
WHEREAS, In March of 2010, the Texas State Cemetery honored
the 52 African American men who served in the Texas Legislature
or participated in Texas constitutional conventions, or both, in
the years following emancipation; and
WHEREAS, At the close of the Civil War, cities in Texas
enforced codes to restrict the rights of African Americans; the
federal government intervened to remove the restrictions, and
between 1867 and 1900, 52 African American Texans worked to help
structure the state's laws and constitution; and
WHEREAS, These pioneering statesmen represented a variety
of backgrounds, experiences, and occupations; they strived to
safeguard voting rights and educational opportunities, and they
worked to reform the prison system, end railroad car segregation
and the poll tax, and protect both skilled and agricultural
workers; they lost their voice once again around the turn of the
century, when discriminatory laws were reinstated to exclude
African American citizens from political life; and
WHEREAS, The installation of the 19th-Century Black
Legislators' Monument began with the research of Larry Thomas,
who went on to serve as the monument's project director; those
honored by the monument provided a courageous voice during a
tumultuous period in our history, and their contributions to our
state will not be forgotten; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 86th
Legislature, hereby recognize the significance of the
19th-Century Black Legislators' Monument at the Texas State
Cemetery and extend appreciation to all who contributed to the
monument's creation and installation; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared as a
tribute to all who participated in this special project.
Watson
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President of the Senate
I hereby certify that the
above Resolution was adopted by
the Senate on April 29, 2019.
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Secretary of the Senate
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Member, Texas Senate