Bill Text: TX HR43 | 2023-2024 | 88th Legislature | Enrolled

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Bill Title: Recognizing February 2023 as Black History Month.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)

Status: (Passed) 2023-02-08 - Reported enrolled [HR43 Detail]

Download: Texas-2023-HR43-Enrolled.html

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H.R. No. 43

R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, Black History Month is being celebrated in February
2023 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 88th Texas
Legislature hereby recognize February 2023 as Black History Month
and encourage all Texans to take advantage of opportunities for
learning, reflection, and celebration.
Reynolds
Phelan Guerra Murr
Allen Guillen Neave Criado
Allison Harless Noble
Anchía Harris of Anderson Oliverson
Anderson Harris of Williamson Ordaz
Ashby Harrison Orr
Bailes Hayes Ortega
Bell of Kaufman Hefner Patterson
Bell of Montgomery Hernandez Paul
Bernal Herrero Perez
Bhojani Hinojosa Plesa
Bonnen Holland Price
Bowers Howard Ramos
Bryant Hull Raney
Buckley Hunter Raymond
Bucy Isaac Reynolds
Bumgarner Jetton Rogers
Burns Johnson of Dallas Romero, Jr.
Burrows A. Johnson of Harris Rose
Button J. Johnson of Harris Rosenthal
Cain Jones of Dallas Schaefer
Campos Jones of Harris Schatzline
Canales Kacal Schofield
Capriglione King of Hemphill Shaheen
Clardy King of Uvalde Sherman, Sr.
Cole Kitzman Shine
Collier Klick Slaton
Cook Kuempel Slawson
Cortez Lalani Smith
Craddick Lambert Smithee
Cunningham Landgraf Spiller
Darby Leach Stucky
Davis Leo-Wilson Swanson
Dean Longoria Talarico
DeAyala Lopez of Bexar Tepper
Dorazio Lopez of Cameron Thierry
Dutton Lozano Thimesch
Flores Lujan Thompson of Brazoria
Frank Manuel Thompson of Harris
Frazier Martinez Tinderholt
Gamez Martinez Fischer Toth
Garcia Metcalf Troxclair
Gates Meyer Turner
Gerdes Meza VanDeaver
Geren Moody Vasut
Gervin-Hawkins Morales of Harris Vo
Goldman Morales of Maverick Walle
González of Dallas Morales Shaw Wilson
González of El Paso Morrison Wu
Goodwin Muñoz, Jr. Zwiener
______________________________
Speaker of the House
I certify that H.R. No. 43 was adopted by the House on February
7, 2023, by a non-record vote.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House