Bill Text: TX HR176 | 2015-2016 | 84th Legislature | Enrolled
Bill Title: Recognizing the Missouri City Black History Month celebration.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)
Status: (Passed) 2015-01-29 - Reported enrolled [HR176 Detail]
Download: Texas-2015-HR176-Enrolled.html
| H.R. No. 176 | ||
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| WHEREAS, Missouri City is kicking off its Black History Month | ||
| festivities with a celebration on February 7, 2015, providing area | ||
| residents an opportunity to recognize the rich cultural heritage of | ||
| African Americans and the contributions they have made and are | ||
| making to the State of Texas and the world at large; and | ||
| WHEREAS, A weeklong observance focusing on black history was | ||
| established in 1926 by Dr. Carter G. Woodson, an author and scholar | ||
| and the son of former slaves, who sought a means of educating | ||
| non-black Americans about African American culture and of | ||
| 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 celebrate "Black History | ||
| Month and the message of courage and perseverance it brings to all | ||
| of us"; and | ||
| WHEREAS, African Americans have constituted a significant | ||
| part of the population of Texas for hundreds of years; in the 19th | ||
| century, before emancipation, they played an enormous role in | ||
| producing this state's agricultural bounty and also worked as | ||
| skilled artisans; after the Civil War, many moved to urban centers, | ||
| and in the years that followed, they provided manpower for new | ||
| industries that were being established; 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 black | ||
| Seminole 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 Texan | ||
| cowboys was William Pickett, who became a Wild West rodeo performer | ||
| and who is believed to have originated the bulldogging event; and | ||
| WHEREAS, In the mid-20th century, African Americans in Texas | ||
| substantially furthered the civil rights movement by filing and | ||
| winning lawsuits that outlawed the white primary and that helped to | ||
| integrate graduate and professional schools; today, influential | ||
| African American leaders continue to follow in the footsteps of | ||
| their predecessors, taking their rightful place in the public arena | ||
| and promoting social justice; and | ||
| WHEREAS, The contributions of African Americans in the nation | ||
| at large not only have impacted every facet of life in this country | ||
| but also have had an influence around the globe; among their most | ||
| notable but perhaps least-known achievements have been advances in | ||
| science and technology; the long list of those who have | ||
| distinguished themselves in these fields includes Alexander Miles, | ||
| who developed the automated elevator door, Garrett Morgan, who | ||
| invented the gas mask and the traffic signal, Frederick Jones, who | ||
| developed refrigerated trucks and railroad cars, Dr. Charles Drew, | ||
| who developed a technique for preserving plasma and who established | ||
| blood banks across Europe and the Pacific during World War II, | ||
| saving the lives of countless American soldiers and sailors, and | ||
| Dr. Patricia E. Bath, who developed a method of eye surgery to | ||
| remove cataracts; and | ||
| WHEREAS, Black History Month highlights the myriad ways in | ||
| which African Americans have helped shape this nation over the | ||
| course of four centuries, and this celebration acknowledges and | ||
| promotes the immeasurable benefits of living in a truly diverse | ||
| society; now, therefore, be it | ||
| RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 84th Texas | ||
| Legislature hereby recognize the City of Missouri City for its | ||
| Black History Month celebration and encourage all citizens to learn | ||
| more about the history of the African diaspora and about the | ||
| accomplishments of African Americans. | ||
| Reynolds | ||
| ______________________________ | ||
| Speaker of the House | ||
| I certify that H.R. No. 176 was adopted by the House on | ||
| January 28, 2015, by a non-record vote. | ||
| ______________________________ | ||
| Chief Clerk of the House | ||
