H.R. No. 679 R E S O L U T I O N WHEREAS, April 2, 2023, marks the celebration of Palm Sunday, the first day of the Christian Holy Week; and WHEREAS, Palm Sunday, which falls on the last Sunday in Lent and the Sunday before Easter, commemorates the triumphant return of Jesus Christ to Jerusalem; according to the scriptures, Jesus rode into the city on a donkey and was greeted by a crowd of followers, who laid their coats and palm branches on the ground to symbolically recognize him as their king and messiah; and WHEREAS, In many churches, the day is celebrated with the blessing and procession of palms, a ceremony that dates back to the end of the fourth century in Jerusalem; also called Passion Sunday, the holiday frequently features an account of the Passion of Christ; some traditions also include using the palms as sacramentals and burning them to serve as the ashes for the next year's Ash Wednesday celebration; and WHEREAS, Observed for more than 1,600 years, Palm Sunday commences the most sacred week in the Christian calendar and heralds the coming of Easter, and it is a pleasure to recognize all those across the Lone Star State who are celebrating this special holiday; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 88th Texas Legislature hereby commemorate Palm Sunday 2023. Slaton ______________________________ Speaker of the House I certify that H.R. No. 679 was adopted by the House on April 5, 2023, by a non-record vote. ______________________________ Chief Clerk of the House