Bill Text: TX SR83 | 2013 | 83rd Legislature 2nd Special Session | Enrolled
Bill Title: Recognizing Morney-Berry Farm for its contributions to African American history in our state.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)
Status: (Passed) 2013-07-25 - Reported enrolled [SR83 Detail]
Download: Texas-2013-SR83-Enrolled.html
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WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas is pleased to | ||
recognize the Morney-Berry Farm for its many contributions to the | ||
appreciation of African American history in our state; and | ||
WHEREAS, The Morney-Berry Farm has for many years played an | ||
essential role in the life of the African American community in | ||
Dallas; since 1865, it has transformed from a residence that once | ||
housed slaveowners to a home bought and owned by former slaves | ||
and passed down to their descendants, who have earned recognition | ||
by the Family Land Heritage Program, which honors families that | ||
have owned or operated a farm for more than 100 years; and | ||
WHEREAS, Each year, the Morney-Berry Farm hosts a | ||
Juneteenth celebration that includes a re-enactment of the | ||
experiences of slaves in the United States; the program features | ||
a replica of an African village and examines the freedoms enjoyed | ||
by Africans before being placed in shackles by slave traders and | ||
herded onto slave ships; it goes on to replicate a slave auction, | ||
field work on a plantation, and escape to freedom on the | ||
Underground Railroad; and | ||
WHEREAS, By including an examination of the origins of the | ||
men, women, and children sold into slavery, this exceptional | ||
program presents a more complete narrative of their history, and | ||
by drawing attention to the horrors they faced, it also | ||
highlights the extraordinary scope of the achievements of freed | ||
slaves, who acquired land, established successful communities, | ||
and became economically self-sufficient in the face of ongoing | ||
prejudice and adversity; and | ||
WHEREAS, The farm's annual Juneteenth celebration helps to | ||
ensure that the struggles of African Americans during this | ||
painful chapter in American history are seen in their proper | ||
context and remain relevant in the present; and | ||
WHEREAS, To help further this important effort, the | ||
students of the Dr. Emmett J. Conrad Leadership Program are | ||
providing their time and energy to perform vital cleanup and | ||
restoration work for this exceptional historic site; now, | ||
therefore, be it | ||
RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 83rd | ||
Legislature, 2nd Called Session, hereby commend the proprietors | ||
of Morney-Berry Farm for their contributions to the | ||
dissemination of the state's history and extend to them best | ||
wishes for continued success; and, be it further | ||
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared for | ||
the Morney-Berry Farm as an expression of esteem from the Texas | ||
Senate. | ||
West | ||
________________________________ | ||
President of the Senate | ||
I hereby certify that the | ||
above Resolution was adopted by | ||
the Senate on July 25, 2013. | ||
________________________________ | ||
Secretary of the Senate | ||
________________________________ | ||
Member, Texas Senate |