Bill Text: TX HR34 | 2017 | 85th Legislature 1st Special Session | Enrolled

---

Bill Title: Recognizing July 18, 2017, as Nelson Mandela International Day.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)

Status: (Passed) 2017-07-19 - Reported enrolled [HR34 Detail]

Download: Texas-2017-HR34-Enrolled.html

---

H.R. No. 34

R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, Each year, the date of July 18 is recognized as
Nelson Mandela International Day, providing a welcome opportunity
to celebrate the life of a courageous and inspirational figure who
is revered around the globe; and
WHEREAS, Born into the Tembu tribe in the Transkei region of
South Africa in 1918, Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela earned a degree
from University College of Fort Hare and studied law at the
University of Witwatersrand; and
WHEREAS, In 1944, Mr. Mandela joined the African National
Congress, and he soon became actively engaged in resistance against
the racist apartheid policies of South Africa's ruling National
Party; as part of that effort, he helped launch the "Defiance"
campaign of civil disobedience in 1952; the government responded by
trying him for treason in the late 1950s, though he was ultimately
acquitted of that charge; and
WHEREAS, After the Sharpeville Massacre of 69 anti-apartheid
protestors in 1960, the ANC was banned, and Mr. Mandela began
advocating for armed resistance to the government; arrested in
1962, he was sentenced to five years of hard labor, and in a
separate trial that began the following year, he was sentenced to
life in prison; and
WHEREAS, From 1964 to 1982, Mr. Mandela was jailed in a small
cell on Robben Island, off the coast of Cape Town, and he was later
incarcerated at two prisons on the mainland; during his 25 years as
a prisoner, he endured harsh conditions while steadfastly refusing
to compromise his belief in justice and equal rights for all South
Africans; his valiant stand helped strengthen opposition to
apartheid, both within South Africa and around the world; and
WHEREAS, The anti-apartheid movement achieved one of its
greatest victories in 1990, when Mr. Mandela was released from
prison, and he soon became a key figure in the negotiations to
dismantle the country's unjust system of government; he received
the Nobel Peace Prize in 1993, and the following year he was elected
as South Africa's president in the nation's first multiracial
election; and
WHEREAS, In 2009, the General Assembly of the United Nations
voted unanimously to commemorate his birthday each year as Nelson
Mandela International Day; this observance emphasizes the ability
of individuals to effect positive change in their communities, and
it serves as a continuing reminder of the legacy of Mr. Mandela, who
passed away on December 5, 2013, at the age of 95; and
WHEREAS, Over the course of his life, Nelson Mandela followed
a difficult and often lonely path in the pursuit of justice;
starting as an idealistic student determined to make his country a
better place, he went on to become a resolute and determined
prisoner of conscience and, finally, an admired international
figure who symbolizes the victory of freedom over oppression; now,
therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 85th Texas
Legislature, 1st Called Session, hereby recognize July 18, 2017, as
Nelson Mandela International Day.
Giddings
Straus Goldman Oliverson
Allen Gonzales of Williamson Ortega
Alonzo González of El Paso Paddie
Alvarado Gooden Parker
Anchia Guerra Paul
Anderson of Dallas Guillen Perez
Anderson of McLennan Gutierrez Phelan
Arévalo Hefner Phillips
Ashby Hernandez Pickett
Bailes Herrero Price
Bell Hinojosa Raney
Bernal Holland Raymond
Biedermann Howard Reynolds
Blanco Huberty Rinaldi
Bohac Hunter Roberts
Bonnen of Brazoria Isaac Rodriguez of Bexar
Bonnen of Galveston Israel Rodriguez of Travis
Burkett Johnson of Dallas Romero, Jr.
Burns Johnson of Harris Rose
Burrows Kacal Sanford
Button Keough Schaefer
Cain King of Hemphill Schofield
Canales King of Parker Schubert
Capriglione King of Uvalde Shaheen
Clardy Klick Sheffield
Coleman Koop Shine
Collier Krause Simmons
Cook Kuempel Smithee
Cortez Lambert Springer
Cosper Landgraf Stephenson
Craddick Lang Stickland
Cyrier Larson Stucky
Dale Laubenberg Swanson
Darby Leach Thierry
Davis of Dallas Longoria Thompson of Brazoria
Davis of Harris Lozano Thompson of Harris
Dean Lucio III Tinderholt
Deshotel Martinez Turner
Dukes Metcalf Uresti
Dutton Meyer VanDeaver
Elkins Miller Villalba
Faircloth Minjarez Vo
Fallon Moody Walle
Farrar Morrison White
Flynn Muñoz, Jr. Wilson
Frank Murphy Workman
Frullo Murr Wray
Geren Neave Wu
Gervin-Hawkins Nevárez Zedler
Giddings Oliveira Zerwas
______________________________
Speaker of the House
I certify that H.R. No. 34 was adopted by the House on July 18,
2017, by a non-record vote.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House