Bill Text: TX SR139 | 2023-2024 | 88th Legislature | Introduced

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Bill Title: Recognizing February 7, 2023, as Alabama-Coushatta Tribe of Texas Day.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)

Status: (Passed) 2023-02-07 - Reported enrolled [SR139 Detail]

Download: Texas-2023-SR139-Introduced.html

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2023S0089-1 02/06/23
By: Nichols S.R. No. 139

SENATE RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas is pleased to
welcome the proud members of the Alabama-Coushatta Tribe of Texas
who are gathering in Austin to celebrate Alabama-Coushatta Day at
the State Capitol on February 7, 2023; 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 and offers a full complement of
health and human services in addition to providing 250 jobs that
employ teachers, doctors, and peace officers; tribe members also
maintain a health clinic, a day-care center, a solid waste
facility, three churches, and a number of retail shops; and
WHEREAS, Home to one of the most scenic recreational areas
in the Lone Star State, the reservation is visited every year by
thousands of people who enjoy the fine opportunities for camping,
hiking, and picnicking; the reservation is also home to the
Naskila Gaming facility 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 Senate of the State of Texas, 88th
Legislature, hereby recognize February 7, 2023, as
Alabama-Coushatta Tribe of Texas Day at the State Capitol and
extend a warm welcome to the visiting members of the tribe; and be
it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared in
honor of this special occasion.