Commemorating Tejano Day 2025.

89(R) HR 767 - Enrolled version - Bill Text

H.R. No. 767

R E S O L U T I O N

WHEREAS, Many proud Texans are gathering in celebration of

Tejano Day on April 6, 2025; and

WHEREAS, Tejano men and women were the founders of the

state's oldest permanent communities, including the cities of San

Antonio, Nacogdoches, Victoria, Goliad, and El Paso; members of the

Navarro, Ruiz, Menchaca, Arocha, and Seguin families were

instrumental in settling the region and negotiating peace with the

Comanches and other tribes; the present-day names of many of our

state's waterways and other natural features were bestowed by

Tejanos of Spanish, Mexican, African, and Indigenous descent; and

WHEREAS, On April 6, 1813, Tejanos became the first settlers

to proclaim independence for Texas; that year, many of them fought

the Spanish in the Battle of Medina, the deadliest military action

in Texas history; prominent Tejanos José Antonio Navarro and José

Francisco Ruiz were signers of the Texas Declaration of

Independence in 1836; among the numerous Tejanos who sacrificed

their lives during the Texas Revolution were two heroes of the

Alamo, Gregorio Esparza and José Toribio Losoya; troops led by

Plácido Benavides fought bravely across South Texas, and the men of

Juan Seguín's company helped secure the decisive victory at the

Battle of San Jacinto; and

WHEREAS, Many Tejanos were early champions of free speech,

freedom of the press, and public education, and that tradition has

continued; in the 20th century, prominent advocates for these

essential values included journalist Jovita Idár, bilingual

education activist Felix Tijerina, and civil rights attorney

John J. Herrera; countless Tejanos have served with enormous

distinction in the armed forces, among them recipients of the

military's highest commendation for valor, the Medal of Honor;

World War II veteran Héctor P. García founded the American GI Forum

of Texas to secure the rights of fellow Hispanic veterans; and

WHEREAS, Today, Texas culture reflects the wide-ranging

contributions of Tejanos; their rodeos, expert horsemanship, and

longhorn cattle-raising traditions became part of Western

identity; Tejanos fused the flavors and ingredients of Mexico and

the United States to create the iconic Tex-Mex cuisine, and they

combined musical styles to develop popular new genres; Lydia

Mendoza, Flaco Jiménez, Selena, and other Tejano greats have

influenced artists throughout Texas and far beyond our borders; and

WHEREAS, In 2021, the Texas Legislature officially

designated April 6 as Tejano Day, and this annual observance

provides a welcome opportunity to recognize the vital role that

Tejanos have played in the epic saga of the Lone Star State for more

than 300 years; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 89th Texas

Legislature hereby commemorate Tejano Day 2025.

Guerra

______________________________

Speaker of the House

I certify that H.R. No. 767 was adopted by the House on April

17, 2025, by the following vote: Yeas 131, Nays 9, 2 present, not

voting.

______________________________

Chief Clerk of the House