Bill Text: TX SCR6 | 2017-2018 | 85th Legislature | Introduced

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Bill Title: Recognizing February 15, 2017, as Alabama-Coushatta Tribe of Texas Day at the State Capitol.

Sponsorship: Partisan Bill (Republican 1)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2017-01-03 - Filed [SCR6 Detail]

Download: Texas-2017-SCR6-Introduced.html

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85R5487 JGH-D
By: Nichols S.C.R. No. 6

CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, Proud members of the Alabama-Coushatta Tribe of
Texas are gathering in Austin for Alabama-Coushatta Day at the
State Capitol on February 15, 2017; and
WHEREAS, One of three federally recognized tribes in Texas,
the Alabama-Coushatta Tribe was originally two tribes, the Alibamus
and the Koasatis, who had a similar culture but lived in adjacent
lands in Alabama; starting in the 1760s, the two tribes began to
migrate westward into what is now East Texas; and
WHEREAS, In 1813, the tribes fought on the side of the
revolutionaries in the Mexican War of Independence from Spain, and
the new Mexican government granted them tracts of land in gratitude
for their service; two decades later, Sam Houston granted the
tribes land between the Neches and Sabine Rivers in exchange for not
siding with Mexico during the Texas Revolution; members of the
tribes served as guides for the Texan army and helped to feed
refugees who had fled from Santa Anna's troops; and
WHEREAS, Today, there are 1,200 members of the
Alabama-Coushatta, half of whom live on the reservation's 10,200
acres in the Big Thicket of East Texas; the tribe is a fully
functioning sovereign government, providing a full complement of
health and human services, and it is responsible for 250 jobs,
including teachers, doctors, and peace officers; members also
maintain a health clinic, a day-care center, a solid waste
facility, three churches, and retail shops; and
WHEREAS, Home to one of the most scenic recreational areas in
the Lone Star State, every year, the reservation is visited by
nearly 200,000 people who take advantage of the fine opportunities
for camping, hiking, and picnicking; the reservation is also home
to the newly reopened Naskila Entertainment casino and an annual
powwow and music festival; and
WHEREAS, Celebrating their rich heritage as they work to
build a better tomorrow, the people of the Alabama-Coushatta Tribe
may indeed take great pride in their unique contributions to the
history and culture of Texas; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the 85th Legislature of the State of Texas
hereby recognize February 15, 2017, as Alabama-Coushatta Tribe of
Texas Day at the State Capitol and extend to the members of the
tribe sincere best wishes for a memorable and meaningful visit to
Austin.