2023S0088-1 02/03/23
By: West S.R. No. 148
SENATE RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, The Texas Senate takes great pleasure in
recognizing Mrs. Opal Lee, the "Grandmother of Juneteenth," who
is being honored at the Texas Capitol on February 8, 2023, at a
special event to celebrate the unveiling of her portrait, which
will be placed on permanent display in the Senate Chamber; and
WHEREAS, Commissioned by the Texas Senate and created by
native Texas artist Jess W. Coleman, the portrait of Mrs. Opal
Lee honors her remarkable life and achievements and commemorates
the indelible mark her contributions have made in the history of
our great state and nation; and
WHEREAS, A native Texan born in Marshall and raised in Fort
Worth, Mrs. Opal Lee was inspired from an early age to seek to
better the world around her and to become an advocate for social
justice and civil rights; rising above many of the challenges of
racial oppression, she embarked on a career in education, and she
became a tireless champion for civil rights and an esteemed
community leader whose positive impact is recognized throughout
the nation and has been acknowledged around the globe; and
WHEREAS, In 2016, at the age of 89, Mrs. Opal Lee launched
a campaign to create a wider awareness across the country about
the meaning of Juneteenth, the annual day commemorating the end
of slavery in Texas; Mrs. Lee began observing the June 19 holiday
while she was still a young girl living in Marshall, and for
decades, she has organized events in Fort Worth in celebration of
Juneteenth; and
WHEREAS, Mrs. Opal Lee long dreamed of making the annual
observance of Juneteenth in Texas into a national holiday, and in
her efforts to achieve this goal, she spoke to the media and
numerous groups about her cause and gathered one-and-a-half
million signatures on a petition that she delivered to the United
States Congress; and
WHEREAS, In 2021, Mrs. Opal Lee accomplished her mission
when legislation designating Juneteenth as a federal holiday was
passed; she joined President Joe Biden at the White House to
witness the signing of the Juneteenth legislation, and with this
historic achievement, the nation gained its first new federal
holiday since Martin Luther King Jr. Day was signed into law in
1983; and
WHEREAS, Long admired for her exceptional contributions to
her community and state, Mrs. Lee has created an enduring legacy
in the State of Texas and in the nation; in 2022, she was
nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize by 33 members of the United
States Congress in recognition of her outstanding efforts in
gaining national recognition for Juneteenth; and
WHEREAS, Mrs. Opal Lee's steadfast dedication to a vision
of liberty and justice is a source of tremendous inspiration to
all, and it is indeed fitting that a portrait of her be displayed
permanently in the Senate Chamber at the Texas Capitol; now,
therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 88th
Legislature, hereby pay tribute to Mrs. Opal Lee and extend to
her its sincere respect, admiration, and appreciation; and, be it
further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared in
honor of this very special occasion.