89R14077 KSM-D
By: Ward Johnson H.R. No. 476
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, A rich and purposeful life has drawn to a close with
the death of Tanya Debose of Houston on January 30, 2025, at the age
of 58; and
WHEREAS, An advocate for preserving African American history
and culture, Tanya Debose was born on April 4, 1966, and she was
best known for her work in the Independence Heights neighborhood of
Houston; she had deep roots in the community, as her
great-grandfather was one of the early pioneers to purchase land in
what became the first African American municipality in Texas; and
WHEREAS, Ms. Debose founded Preserving Communities of Color,
which focuses on protecting historic communities of color by
transforming them into inclusive cultural destinations; the
initiative consists of an annual conference bringing together
community advocates, civic leaders, scholars, and elected
officials, and it provides support to historic communities of
color, connecting them with tools and resources; and
WHEREAS, Ms. Debose participated in several national
initiatives, including the Historic Black Towns and Settlements
Alliance, where she spearheaded media campaigns aimed at raising
awareness of historic Black towns; in more recent years, Ms. Debose
coordinated a summit with the goal of building a national heritage
corridor across multiple states to connect leaders and promote
awareness of all-Black towns created after the Civil War; she made
efforts to create a statewide consortium of heritage councils with
the goal of fostering the preservation of African American history
and culture in the Lone Star State; and
WHEREAS, An engaged activist and an effective community
leader, Tanya Debose earned the lasting respect of all who were
privileged to know her, and she will forever be remembered with
great admiration and affection; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 89th Texas
Legislature hereby pay tribute to the memory of Tanya Debose and
extend heartfelt sympathy to her family and friends; and, be it
further
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
prepared for her family and that when the Texas House of
Representatives adjourns this day, it do so in memory of Tanya
Debose.