SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 175
WHEREAS, The celebration of Black History Month in
February 2025 provides an opportunity to recognize the rich
cultural heritage of African Americans and the significant
contributions they have made and are continuing to make in the
Lone Star State; and
WHEREAS, An event celebrating Black history was
established in 1926 as a weeklong observance by Dr. Carter
G. Woodson, an author and scholar whose parents had been
enslaved; he sought a means of educating all U.S. citizens about
African American culture and engendering pride among Black
Americans; the tribute was expanded to a month in 1976 and was
officially recognized by President Gerald Ford, who encouraged
all Americans to join him "in tribute to Black History Month and
the message of courage and perseverance it brings to all of us";
and
WHEREAS, People of African descent have a long history in
Texas; in 1528, a Moor named Estevan accompanied the Spanish
explorer Álvar Núñez Cabeza de Vaca on a trek across the land that
would later become the Lone Star State; by the end of the 18th
century, some 450 individuals of African origin lived in Spanish
Texas, and in the early 1800s, many African Americans who had
been enslaved in the American South crossed the Sabine River,
seeking their freedom and settling in East Texas; and
WHEREAS, In the 19th century, before emancipation, African
Americans played an enormous role in producing the state's
agricultural bounty and also worked as skilled artisans; and
WHEREAS, Freed of their shackles at the end of the Civil
War, Black citizens applied themselves to new realms of endeavor;
many moved to urban centers, and in the years that followed,
provided labor for new industries that were established; African
Americans also excelled in tasks that ranged from ranching and
military duty to service as state legislators; moreover, a people
who just a few short years before had been held in bondage
enrolled in schools and colleges as they sought a path to a better
future and a means of coping with the difficult challenges that
surrounded them; and
WHEREAS, African American infantry and cavalry garrisoned
forts in West Texas during the Indian Wars; known as "Buffalo
Soldiers," they patrolled the frontier with the assistance of
Seminole-Negro Indian scouts, built roads, and escorted mail
carriers; Sergeant Emmanuel Stance, stationed at Fort McKavett,
was the first African American who fought in the Indian Wars to be
awarded the Medal of Honor; and
WHEREAS, Since the early 1800s, African Americans have
been involved in the cattle industry; one of the most famous
Black native Texan cowboys was William Pickett, who became a Wild
West rodeo performer and who is believed to have originated the
bulldogging event; and
WHEREAS, African Americans have been a significant part of
the population of Texas for hundreds of years, and the
celebration of Black History Month acknowledges and promotes the
immeasurable benefits of living in a truly diverse society; now,
therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 89th
Legislature, hereby recognize February 2025 as Black History
Month and encourage all citizens to learn more about the history
and accomplishments of African Americans in the Lone Star State.
West
Alvarado Hagenbuch Kolkhorst Alvarado Hagenbuch Kolkhorst
Alvarado Hagenbuch Kolkhorst
Bettencourt Hall Menéndez Bettencourt Hall Menéndez
Bettencourt Hall Menéndez
Birdwell Hancock Middleton Birdwell Hancock Middleton
Birdwell Hancock Middleton
Blanco Hinojosa of Hidalgo Miles Blanco Hinojosa of Hidalgo Miles
Blanco Hinojosa of Hidalgo Miles
Campbell Hinojosa of Nueces Nichols Campbell Hinojosa of Nueces Nichols
Campbell Hinojosa of Nueces Nichols
Cook Huffman Parker Cook Huffman Parker
Cook Huffman Parker
Creighton Hughes Paxton Creighton Hughes Paxton
Creighton Hughes Paxton
Eckhardt Johnson Perry Eckhardt Johnson Perry
Eckhardt Johnson Perry
Flores King Sparks Flores King Sparks
Flores King Sparks
Gutierrez Zaffirini Gutierrez Zaffirini
Gutierrez Zaffirini
Patrick, President of the Senate
________________________________
President of the Senate
I hereby certify that the
above Resolution was adopted by
the Senate on February 27, 2025.
________________________________
Secretary of the Senate
________________________________
Member, Texas Senate
Alvarado Hagenbuch Kolkhorst
Bettencourt Hall Menéndez
Birdwell Hancock Middleton
Blanco Hinojosa of Hidalgo Miles
Campbell Hinojosa of Nueces Nichols
Cook Huffman Parker
Creighton Hughes Paxton
Eckhardt Johnson Perry
Flores King Sparks
Gutierrez Zaffirini