Bill Text: TX SR704 | 2011-2012 | 82nd Legislature | Enrolled

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Bill Title: In memory of the life of Alphonso Steele.

Sponsorship: Partisan Bill (Republican 1)

Status: (Passed) 2011-04-20 - Again read [SR704 Detail]

Download: Texas-2011-SR704-Enrolled.html

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SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 704
In Memory
of
Alphonso Steele
WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas is pleased to pay
tribute to the life of Alphonso Steele, a treasured Texas patriot
who fought in the Battle of San Jacinto and survived to live a
long and fruitful life; he was the last of the Texas survivors to
die; and
WHEREAS, Alphonso Steele was born on April 9, 1817, to a
pioneer family in Hardin County, Kentucky; in 1835, he joined
Captain Ephraim M. Daggett's company of volunteers in Louisiana
and traveled with the company to Texas to aid in the Texas
Revolution; and
WHEREAS, The company arrived at Washington-on-the-Brazos
on New Year's Day in 1836; since Texas had not yet declared its
independence, many volunteers disbanded and returned home;
Alphonso remained until after the signing of the Texas
Declaration of Independence; he then joined a company of men who
were serving under Captain Joseph L. Bennett, and the company
later joined General Sam Houston's army; and
WHEREAS, Alphonso served in the Battle of San Jacinto as a
private in Captain James Gillespie's company of Sidney Sherman's
regiment; he was severely wounded in the early stages of the
battle, but he continued to fight until the end; during much of
the battle, Alphonso's gray horse was ridden by General Sam
Houston, until the animal was shot beneath him; and
WHEREAS, After months of recuperation, Alphonso made his
way to Montgomery County, where he began to farm and raise
cattle; he married Mary Ann Powell in 1838, and the couple moved
in 1844 to a part of Robertson County that later became Limestone
County; the couple had eight children, and many of their
descendants went on to distinguish themselves in military
service; and
WHEREAS, In 1907, Alphonso revisited the San Jacinto
Battleground at the invitation of Andrew Jackson Houston, the son
of Sam Houston; on February 10, 1909, the 31st Texas Legislature
presented Alphonso with a gold medal for his bravery at the
Battle of San Jacinto; Alphonso died on July 8, 1911, near Kosse,
at the home of a grandson; he was 94 years old; a poem dedicated
to him and entitled "The Last Hero" was written in the year of his
death by Jake H. Harrison; and
WHEREAS, A life-size picture of Alphonso is in the San
Jacinto Monument; there are two portraits of Alphonso in the
State Preservation Board's permanent Capitol art collection; a
large portrait by Marie Cronin, commissioned by the state in
1909, hangs prominently in the Senate Chamber, and a smaller
portrait hangs in the House clerk's office; and
WHEREAS, Alphonso Steele represents those early pioneers
who loved Texas and had the courage and dedication to fight for
its independence; he and his colleagues endured unbelievable
hardships and challenges and emerged from them victoriously to
help shape the state that we all take pride in today; now,
therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 82nd
Legislature, hereby honor Alphonso Steele and celebrate the life
of this intrepid Texas hero by paying tribute to his courage and
his invaluable contributions to our state; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared for
his descendants as an expression of highest esteem from the Texas
Senate, and that this Resolution be presented to Gene C. Steele,
the oldest living great-grandchild of Alphonso Steele.
Birdwell
________________________________
President of the Senate
I hereby certify that the
above Resolution was adopted by
the Senate on April 4, 2011, by a
rising vote.
________________________________
Secretary of the Senate
________________________________
Member, Texas Senate