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SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 526
WHEREAS, April is the month in which the Confederate States of America began and ended a four-year struggle for states' rights, individual freedom, and local government control; and WHEREAS, The State of Texas declared herself to be a free and independent state and subsequently joined the Confederate States of America of which it was a member state from 1861 until 1865; and WHEREAS, The battlefields, monuments, museums, and other historical sites to be found in Texas allow our citizens and visitors to remember, study, and appreciate the men and women of that unique time in the history of Texas and the nation; and WHEREAS, The flag of the State of Texas was carried by Texas Confederate soldiers in every major battle of the War Between the States and the state contributed over 115,000 soldiers and sailors to the service of the Confederate States of America; and WHEREAS, During the period of reconciliation, Texas Confederate veterans became instrumental in the continued development of our state and local governments and our institutions of higher learning; and WHEREAS, We honor our past and draw from it the courage, strength, and wisdom to go forward into the future together as Texans and Americans; and WHEREAS, The State of Texas has long recognized her Confederate history and the leaders who made sacrifices on behalf of the Confederate cause; and WHEREAS, The Texans who served in the War Between the States are memorialized in almost every county in the state, and many cities and counties in the State of Texas bear the name of Confederate veterans; and WHEREAS, It is important for all Texans to reflect upon our state's past and to respect the devotion of her Confederate leaders, soldiers, and citizens to the cause of Southern liberty; and WHEREAS, In years since the war, the morally abhorrent practice of slavery has in the minds of many Texans become the prime motivation of Southern soldiers, despite the fact that 98 percent of Texas Confederate soldiers never owned a slave and never fought to defend slavery; and WHEREAS, Politically correct revisionists would have Texas children believe that their Confederate ancestors fought for slavery when in fact most Texans joined the Confederate armed forces to defend their homes, their families, and their proud heritage as Texans; and WHEREAS, Confederate Memorial Day in April is a time for all Texans to honor those men and women who died for Texas, and also all the Texans who came afterward and benefitted from their legacy of honor and devotion to our state; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 76th Legislature, hereby recognize April as Confederate History and Heritage Month in the State of Texas and encourage all Texas schools and citizens to join in efforts to become more knowledgeable of the role of the Confederate States of America in the history of our country. Jackson ______________________________________ President of the Senate I hereby certify that the above Resolution was adopted by the Senate on March 30, 1999. ______________________________________ Secretary of the Senate |