Bill Text: TX HR1280 | 2023-2024 | 88th Legislature | Enrolled
Bill Title: Commemorating the 175th anniversary of the Alexander Farm in Austin.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 2-0)
Status: (Passed) 2023-05-08 - Reported enrolled [HR1280 Detail]
Download: Texas-2023-HR1280-Enrolled.html
| H.R. No. 1280 | ||
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| WHEREAS, The Alexander Farm in Austin's Pilot Knob community | ||
| recently celebrated its 175th anniversary; and | ||
| WHEREAS, One of the oldest farms in Travis County, the | ||
| Alexander Farm was founded in 1847 by Daniel Alexander, a renowned | ||
| horse breeder and trainer; he was still enslaved at the time by the | ||
| McKinney family, whose members transferred just over 73 acres to | ||
| him through a verbal contract, which was finalized at last more than | ||
| three decades later; possession of the property allowed | ||
| Mr. Alexander and his wife, Emeline, to keep their family together | ||
| and build a legacy; he continued to breed and train thoroughbreds | ||
| and quarter horses after emancipation; and | ||
| WHEREAS, Daniel Alexander's son, Milton Winston Alexander, | ||
| expanded operations by purchasing adjacent and nearby properties; | ||
| his son, Milton Everett Alexander, eventually bought out other | ||
| heirs in order to ensure the farm's continuation under family | ||
| ownership; transitioning to dairy farming, he prospered as supplier | ||
| for six different dairy companies; he and his son, Marcellus | ||
| Alexander Sr., maintained a variety of livestock; and | ||
| WHEREAS, Over the years, the Alexanders faced the same | ||
| threats from gentrification and eminent domain as other | ||
| African-American farmers; in 1968, the Texas Department of | ||
| Transportation seized five acres when it rerouted U.S. Highway 183, | ||
| cutting off the farm's original entrance and isolating a fertile | ||
| section on the other side of the freeway, which abuts the family | ||
| cemetery; while the sixth generation of Alexanders raises beef | ||
| cattle, rampant development and proposed highway construction | ||
| present new perils; ever resolute, the family has collaborated with | ||
| the Hill Country Conservancy to protect the land and partnered in | ||
| USDA initiatives that promote resiliency; the farm has been | ||
| recognized by the Texas Department of Agriculture's Family Land | ||
| Heritage program; and | ||
| WHEREAS, Black-owned farms are increasingly rare in the | ||
| United States, and Black history has too often been erased, but | ||
| through their careful stewardship, the Alexander family has | ||
| preserved and renewed a vital heritage; now, therefore, be it | ||
| RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 88th Texas | ||
| Legislature hereby commemorate the 175th anniversary of the | ||
| Alexander Farm and commend the members of the Alexander family for | ||
| their devotion to a priceless legacy; and, be it further | ||
| RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be | ||
| prepared for the Alexander family as an expression of high regard by | ||
| the Texas House of Representatives. | ||
| Flores | ||
| Thompson of Harris | ||
| ______________________________ | ||
| Speaker of the House | ||
| I certify that H.R. No. 1280 was adopted by the House on May | ||
| 6, 2023, by a non-record vote. | ||
| ______________________________ | ||
| Chief Clerk of the House | ||
