IV 
118TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION 
H. RES. 176 
Recognizing the historical significance of Lawrence Silas. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
FEBRUARY 27, 2023 
Mr. SOTO submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the 
Committee on Agriculture 
RESOLUTION 
Recognizing the historical significance of Lawrence Silas. 
Whereas, in 1891, Lawrence Silas was born in a rural area 
of Kenansville, Florida, to Tom, a formerly enslaved per-
son, and Elizabeth Silas; 
Whereas Lawrence Silas, in his youth, became the bread-
winner for his mother and his 12 siblings upon the pass-
ing of his father; 
Whereas Lawrence Silas, with the support from his dear wife, 
Sarah Laurence Silas, overcame financial struggles and 
discrimination biases to gradually transform his passion 
for cattle into a prominent business that aided to the de-
velopment of his community; 
Whereas despite racism and discrimination, Lawrence Silas 
demonstrated remarkable dedication to work, great perse-
verance, and impressive entrepreneurial skills; 
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•HRES 176 IH 
Whereas Lawrence Silas’ virtuous character and superb com-
petence as a cattle baron made him a role model for his 
community, and the power of his timeless legacy con-
tinues to reverberate in Osceola County; 
Whereas Lawrence Silas’ empathetic leadership helped many 
citizens of his community to overcome financial hurdles 
and to grow their passion for cattle business; 
Whereas Lawrence Silas’ story represents the resilience and 
power of cattle business in Osceola County and highlights 
Florida’s historical engagement with livestock business; 
Whereas Lawrence Silas represents the intelligence, the dili-
gent work attitude, and the courageous spirit of the peo-
ple in the cattle industry; 
Whereas Lawrence Silas was an influential man in his com-
munity despite all discriminations that Black people are 
subjected; 
Whereas Lawrence Silas contributed to the development of 
livestock business in Florida by several means: mastery 
managing his own land with thousands of heads of cattle, 
providing expert advice for affluent dealers and breeders, 
and creating jobs in his community; 
Whereas Lawrence Silas had recognizable knowledge on many 
kinds of cow diseases, which allowed him to handle his 
own cattle as well as from other owners; 
Whereas Lawrence Silas bravely endured all dangers associ-
ated with livestock management in a time where hunting 
wild cows was still necessary; and 
Whereas Lawrence Silas was dedicated to cattle work and de-
velopment throughout his life: Now, therefore, be it 
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•HRES 176 IH 
Resolved, That it is the sense of the House of Rep-
resentatives that Lawrence Silas is a historically signifi-
cant African American who has— 
(1) made important contributions for the devel-
opment of livestock business in Florida; and 
(2) defeated great challenges in his journey to 
becoming a notorious cattleman in a society with 
strong racial disparities. 
Æ 
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