88R26715 CJM-D
By: Morales of Maverick H.R. No. 2499
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, The members of the Kickapoo Traditional Tribe of
Texas are the descendants of a proud people who have lived in Texas
and northern Mexico for nearly two centuries; and
WHEREAS, Also known as the Kiikaapoa, the Kickapoos are an
Algonquian-speaking people who once lived a seminomadic lifestyle
in the Great Lakes region; a group of Kickapoos settled in Texas in
the 1830s and later moved through the Eagle Pass area into Mexico;
in the 1850s, the Mexican government awarded the Kickapoos land at
El Nacimiento, Coahuila, located around 130 miles south of Eagle
Pass; and
WHEREAS, Given special status to pass and repass the
U.S.-Mexico border, members of the tribe traveled back and forth
between the two countries for seasonal farm work; in 1983, the U.S.
government instructed the Secretary of the Interior to take land
into trust for the Kickapoos in Maverick County; and
WHEREAS, The Kickapoo Traditional Tribe of Texas was
officially recognized by the Texas Indian Commission in 1977 and
received federal recognition in 1983, and today more than 1,100
members are enrolled in the tribe; the tribe is represented by a
tribal government, which provides members with a range of important
services and operates the Kickapoo Lucky Eagle Casino and Hotel,
along with other business ventures; in addition to generating
revenue for the health, housing, education, and economic
development of tribal members, the casino has served as a powerful
economic engine for the surrounding community, drawing numerous
other businesses and jobs to the area; and
WHEREAS, Celebrating their rich heritage as they work to
build an even better tomorrow, the people of the Kickapoo Tribe may
indeed take great pride in their unique contributions to the
history and culture of the Lone Star State; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 88th Texas
Legislature hereby recognize the Kickapoo Traditional Tribe of
Texas and extend to its members sincere best wishes for the future;
and, be it further
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
prepared for the tribe as an expression of high regard by the Texas
House of Representatives.