Bill Text: TX HCR91 | 2021-2022 | 87th Legislature | Introduced

Texas House Concurrent Resolution 91 (Prior Session Legislation)

Introduced

Bill Title: Expressing commitment to eliminating racially offensive place names and urging the U.S. Board on Geographic Names to approve requests to change racially offensive names of geographic features.

Sponsorship: Slight Partisan Bill (Republican 2-1)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2021-04-27 - Referred to State Affairs [HCR91 Detail]

Download: Texas-2021-HCR91-Introduced.html

	87R13356 BHH-D

	By: White	H.C.R. No. 91



	CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
	WHEREAS, Members of the Texas Geographic Names Committee and
	the U.S. Board on Geographic Names have issued a report which shows
	that there are at least 28 geographic features in Texas with
	racially offensive names; and
	WHEREAS, In 1991, the Texas Legislature passed H.B. 1756,
	relating to the elimination of certain racially offensive names of
	geographic features; the act requires the renaming of any
	geographic feature with a name containing the word "Negro," yet in
	the 30 years since the law was passed, 17 of the 19 place names
	detailed in the act remain unchanged; and
	WHEREAS, Changes to place names require the approval of the
	U.S. Board on Geographic Names, which in 1998 rejected the names
	proposed by H.B. 1756; however, the names were submitted for
	reconsideration at a recent meeting of the USBGN and will be
	considered for validation and acceptance no later than June 2021;
	and
	WHEREAS, In addition to those currently under
	reconsideration, the USBGN has identified 11 other place names in
	Texas containing the slur, in contravention of Section 3 of H.B.
	1756; there are currently no proposals to change these names, and
	the board's protocol requires a formal proposal be submitted in
	order to consider any changes; the board encourages Texas to seek
	proponents to submit a proposal for each of these names; and
	WHEREAS, The perpetuation of racially offensive language is a
	stain on the Lone Star State, and it is vital that the names of these
	geographic features be changed in order to reflect and honor the
	diversity of the population; now, therefore, be it
	RESOLVED, That the 87th Legislature of the State of Texas
	hereby urge the U.S. Board on Geographic Names to approve requests
	to change racially offensive place names in accordance with Texas
	H.B. 1756.