87S30286 BPG-D
By: Rogers H.C.R. No. 11
CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, The Bible has filled many roles in the saga of Texas,
serving as a social and cultural touchstone that has been integral
to the state's history and development; and
WHEREAS, In the early 1800s, as settlement of Texas gained
momentum, the Bible provided a vital cultural link between Catholic
Tejanos and Protestant Anglo Americans; although their backgrounds
differed in many respects, shared traditions helped to unite them
and to further their pursuit of greater freedom and, ultimately,
independence from Spanish and later Mexican rule; and
WHEREAS, During the Texas Revolution, such heroic figures as
Sam Houston, William Travis, Juan Seguin, and Davy Crockett carried
their Bibles for wisdom and inspiration; a Bible believed to be Sam
Houston's own has been used to swear in more than 30 Texas governors
in an enduring inaugural tradition, and it serves as a powerful
symbol of continuity and state leadership; and
WHEREAS, Comprehensive recordkeeping was not carried out by
local and state government during the 19th century; instead, life
events such as births, marriages, and deaths were written in family
Bibles; many of these cherished volumes were passed down through
the generations and are now included in the state's archives,
providing a vital resource for historians; and
WHEREAS, The State of Texas grants official recognition to
symbols that resonate broadly with the public and that have played
an important part in shaping our state's identity; as a prominent
element in the rich fabric of our Texas heritage, the Bible is truly
deserving of such acknowledgment; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the 87th Legislature of the State of Texas,
3rd Called Session, hereby designate the Bible as the official
state book of Texas.