Bill Text: TX HCR58 | 2015-2016 | 84th Legislature | Enrolled

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Bill Title: Commemorating the life of Charlie Brown.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 2-0)

Status: (Passed) 2015-03-13 - Signed by the Governor [HCR58 Detail]

Download: Texas-2015-HCR58-Enrolled.html

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H.C.R. No. 58

HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, A former slave who rose to prominence as a
businessman and civic leader, Charlie Brown played a significant
role in the history of Brazoria County, and his life and legacy are
indeed worthy of tribute; and
WHEREAS, Born in Virginia, Charlie Brown traveled west to
Texas following his emancipation and settled in Brazoria County;
though unable to read or write, he had an innate business sense that
led him to a number of successful entrepreneurial endeavors; he
harvested cedar lumber to be milled in Galveston and shipped to
furniture makers in New York, and his interests grew to include a
gristmill, a syrup mill, and a cotton gin; and
WHEREAS, With the wealth he acquired, Mr. Brown purchased
land, eventually amassing some 3,000 acres near present-day
Danciger and another 200 in what is now West Columbia, where at one
time he owned a third of the town's property; he married a former
slave of the Dance family, Isabella, and the couple acquired the
Dance estate for their home; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Brown donated land for schools in Danciger,
Linville, and West Columbia; the latter of the three became the
Charlie Brown School, which educated children of color in the
community for many decades before it was closed in 1965; Mr. Brown
believed strongly that students should learn about and understand
the struggles of their African American forebears, and he began a
Juneteenth Celebration to commemorate the end of slavery in Texas;
and
WHEREAS, When Charlie Brown passed away in 1920 at the age of
92, he was thought to be the wealthiest African American in the
state, and he was highly respected by people from all walks of life;
in 1955, a street was dedicated in his name by order of the city
council of West Columbia, and most recently, his achievements and
generosity were recognized with the mayoral proclamation of Charlie
Brown Day in West Columbia on August 30, 2014; and
WHEREAS, Although he lived through slavery and its
injustices, Charlie Brown became a prosperous landowner and a force
for good in his community, and his remarkable story serves as an
enduring source of inspiration; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the 84th Legislature of the State of Texas
hereby commemorate the life of Charlie Brown and honor the unique
contribution he made to the history of Brazoria County and the State
of Texas.
Bonnen of Brazoria
Straus Guerra Otto
Allen Guillen Paddie
Alonzo Gutierrez Parker
Alvarado Harless Paul
Anchia Hernandez Peña
Anderson of Dallas Herrero Phelan
Anderson of McLennan Howard Phillips
Ashby Huberty Pickett
Aycock Hughes Price
Bell Hunter Raney
Blanco Isaac Raymond
Bohac Israel Reynolds
Bonnen of Brazoria Johnson Riddle
Bonnen of Galveston Kacal Rinaldi
Burkett Keffer Rodriguez of Bexar
Burns Keough Rodriguez of Travis
Burrows King of Hemphill Romero, Jr.
Button King of Parker Rose
Canales King of Taylor Sanford
Capriglione King of Uvalde Schaefer
Clardy Klick Schofield
Coleman Koop Shaheen
Collier Krause Sheets
Cook Kuempel Sheffield
Craddick Landgraf Simmons
Crownover Larson Simpson
Dale Laubenberg Smith
Darby Leach Smithee
Davis of Dallas Longoria Spitzer
Davis of Harris Lozano Springer
Deshotel Lucio III Stephenson
Dukes Márquez Stickland
Dutton Martinez Thompson of Brazoria
Elkins Martinez Fischer Thompson of Harris
Faircloth McClendon Tinderholt
Fallon Menéndez Turner of Collin
Farias Metcalf Turner of Harris
Farney Meyer Turner of Tarrant
Farrar Miles VanDeaver
Fletcher Miller of Comal Villalba
Flynn Miller of Fort Bend Vo
Frank Moody Walle
Frullo Morrison White of Bell
Galindo Muñoz, Jr. White of Tyler
Geren Murphy Workman
Giddings Murr Wray
Goldman Naishtat Wu
Gonzales Nevárez Zedler
González Oliveira Zerwas
______________________________ ______________________________
President of the Senate Speaker of the House
I certify that H.C.R. No. 58 was adopted by the House on
February 24, 2015, by a non-record vote.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House
I certify that H.C.R. No. 58 was adopted by the Senate on
February 24, 2015, by a viva-voce vote.
______________________________
Secretary of the Senate
APPROVED: __________________
Date
__________________
Governor