87R13356 BHH-D
By: Miles S.C.R. No. 29
CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, Members of the Texas Geographic Names Committee and
the U.S. Board on Geographic Names have issued a report which shows
that there are at least 28 geographic features in Texas with
racially offensive names; and
WHEREAS, In 1991, the Texas Legislature passed H.B. 1756,
relating to the elimination of certain racially offensive names of
geographic features; the act requires the renaming of any
geographic feature with a name containing the word "Negro," yet in
the 30 years since the law was passed, 17 of the 19 place names
detailed in the act remain unchanged; and
WHEREAS, Changes to place names require the approval of the
U.S. Board on Geographic Names, which in 1998 rejected the names
proposed by H.B. 1756; however, the names were submitted for
reconsideration at a recent meeting of the USBGN and will be
considered for validation and acceptance no later than June 2021;
and
WHEREAS, In addition to those currently under
reconsideration, the USBGN has identified 11 other place names in
Texas containing the slur, in contravention of Section 3 of H.B.
1756; there are currently no proposals to change these names, and
the board's protocol requires a formal proposal be submitted in
order to consider any changes; the board encourages Texas to seek
proponents to submit a proposal for each of these names; and
WHEREAS, The perpetuation of racially offensive language is a
stain on the Lone Star State, and it is vital that the names of these
geographic features be changed in order to reflect and honor the
diversity of the population; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the 87th Legislature of the State of Texas
hereby urge the U.S. Board on Geographic Names to approve requests
to change racially offensive place names in accordance with Texas
H.B. 1756.