TITLE: Welcoming Chief Martin of the Tonkawa Tribal Nation to the State Capitol.

SUMMARY: Welcoming Chief Martin of the Tonkawa Tribal Nation to the State Capitol.

FULL TEXT:
WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas is pleased to welcome Chief Martin of the Tonkawa Tribal Nation on the occasion of his visit to the State Capitol; and WHEREAS, As a federally recognized tribe with an origin story in modern-day Texas, the Tonkawa Indigenous Tribe shares a history of friendship with our forebearers and played an important role in the formation of the Lone Star State; and WHEREAS, Chief Placido, who was a close friend to both Stephen F. Austin and Edward Burleson, took part in the Battle of Plum Creek and worked closely with John Salmon "Rip" Ford; and WHEREAS, In March of 1842, during the Texas Archives War, President Sam Houston declared martial law in Austin, an area vulnerable to Comanche and Mexican attacks; as families left the region to seek safety, the Tonkawa tribe set up camp on Little Shoal Creek to help protect the city's western flank from Comanche raids; and WHEREAS, Between 1867 and 1874, members of the Tonkawa tribe served faithfully as scouts and trackers for the United States Army stationed at Fort Griffin, Texas, and it is indeed fitting that all Texans extend their expressions of gratitude for the tribe's historic friendship and aid in defending the Texas frontier against hostile influences in the state's formative years; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 89th Legislature, hereby welcome Chief Martin of the Tonkawa Tribal Nation and extend to him best wishes for a memorable visit to the Texas Capitol; and, be it further RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared for him as an expression of esteem from the Texas Senate. Eckhardt President of the Senate I hereby certify that the above Resolution was adopted by the Senate on February 20, 2025.