Bill Text: TX HR171 | 2025-2026 | 89th Legislature | Enrolled

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Bill Title: Recognizing February 2025 as Black History Month.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)

Status: (Passed) 2025-02-05 - Reported enrolled [HR171 Detail]

Download: Texas-2025-HR171-Enrolled.html

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H.R. No. 171

R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, Black History Month is being celebrated in February
2025 in recognition of the rich cultural heritage and significant
achievements of African Americans; and
WHEREAS, The observance was first conceived by Dr. Carter
G. Woodson, a Harvard-educated scholar and the son of former
slaves, who saw a need to promote the research and study of African
American history at a time when it was overlooked by mainstream
historians; in 1926, Dr. Woodson chose the second week of February
as Negro History Week, due to the fact that it included the
birthdays of Frederick Douglass and Abraham Lincoln, two men of
great influence to Black Americans; in 1976, President Gerald
R. Ford expanded and formalized the celebration to include the
entire month of February and urged citizens to use it as an
opportunity "to honor the too-often neglected accomplishments of
Black Americans in every area of endeavor throughout our history";
and
WHEREAS, The country has continued to work toward gaining
greater understanding of the enormity of African American
contributions in all realms; in September 2016, Barack Obama, the
first African American president of the United States, helped to
inaugurate the National Museum of African American History and
Culture, noting the centrality of the African American experience
to the American story; at the opening ceremony, former president
George W. Bush, who signed the 2003 bill authorizing construction
of the building, affirmed the study of African American history as a
demonstration of our commitment to a fuller, more comprehensive
telling of the nation's story; and
WHEREAS, While the journey of African Americans toward
freedom, equality, and justice is ongoing, the progress that has
been made thus far gives hope that our society can continue to move
forward and embrace change for the betterment of all people; now,
therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 89th Texas
Legislature hereby recognize February 2025 as Black History Month
and encourage all Texans to take advantage of opportunities for
learning, reflection, and celebration.
Reynolds
Burrows Guerra Morales Shaw
Alders Guillen Morgan
Allen Harless Muñoz
Anchía Harris Noble
Ashby Harris Davila Olcott
Barry Harrison Oliverson
Bell of Kaufman Hayes Ordaz
Bell of Montgomery Hefner Orr
Bernal Hernandez Patterson
Bhojani Hickland Paul
Bonnen Hinojosa Perez of El Paso
Bowers Holt Perez of Harris
Bryant Hopper Phelan
Buckley Howard Pierson
Bucy Hull Plesa
Bumgarner Hunter Raymond
Button Isaac Reynolds
Cain Johnson Richardson
Campos Jones of Dallas Rodríguez Ramos
Canales Jones of Harris Romero
Capriglione Kerwin Rose
Cole King Rosenthal
Collier Kitzman Schatzline
Cook LaHood Schofield
Cortez Lalani Schoolcraft
Craddick Lambert Shaheen
Cunningham Landgraf Shofner
Curry Leach Simmons
Darby Leo Wilson Slawson
A. Davis of Dallas Little Smithee
Y. Davis of Dallas Longoria Spiller
Dean Lopez of Bexar Swanson
DeAyala Lopez of Cameron Talarico
Dorazio Louderback Tepper
Dutton Lowe Thompson
Dyson Lozano Tinderholt
Fairly Lujan Toth
Flores Luther Troxclair
Frank Manuel Turner
Gámez Martinez VanDeaver
Garcia of Bexar Martinez Fischer Vasut
Garcia of Dallas McLaughlin Villalobos
Garcia Hernandez McQueeney Virdell
Gates Metcalf Vo
Gerdes Meyer Walle
Geren Meza Ward Johnson
Gervin-Hawkins Money Wharton
González of Dallas Moody Wilson
González of El Paso Morales of Harris Wu
Goodwin Morales of Maverick Zwiener
______________________________
Speaker of the House
I certify that H.R. No. 171 was adopted by the House on February
5, 2025, by a non-record vote.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House