Travis County Commssioners Court
April 13, 2004
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Item 3
3. Approve resolution observing emancipation in 2004 and honoring dr. John q. Taylor king's connection to the Texas buffalo soldiers tour. This proclamation is a little longer than most of ours and does a whole lot more. That's good news. It reads: whereas, the middle class of this country is the foundation for commerce and the stability of our free society, whereas the emancipation proclamation declaring all slaves free was promulgated by president abraham lincoln on January 1, 1863, whereas the signing by general lee of the surrender agreement in virginia on April 9, 1865 ended the civil war, whereas major general gordon granger announced order number 3 to the citizens at galveston upon June 19th, 1865, the date of word of freedom finally reached Texas, there by setting the stage for the celebration of Juneteenth, whereas in attendance at general granger's announcement in galveston that day, whereas young william thomas anderson, whose life would be changed irrevocably by the emancipation proclamation, whereas by an act of congress in 1866, regements of african american troops were formed to serve on the frontier, rebuilding abandoned military posts, protecting mail routes and settlements and continuing the tradition of valorous service by african americans in the armed forces; whereas over the next 08 years african americans -- 80 years african americans serving in the army were known as buffalo soldiers, their conduct and performance were exemplary, whereas young will anderson joined the army and served as a chaplain and medical office with the 10th calvary, a particularly significant buffalo soldier regiment in which dr. Anderson served as distinction. Whereas doctor john t. Taylor, king a former president of huston tillotson college, an historically black college located in Austin, Texas, for those of us who may not know or may have forgotten is the nephew of major will anderson and dr. King himself achieved the rank of major general in the united states army and lieutenant general in the Texas state guard and as a life-long educator has expanded the legend and legitimacy of the buffalo soldiers. Whereas the army post built in the 1800's were solid legacies of the hard work of the buffalo soldiers and the subject of a non-profit educational tour, coinciding with the 'em man operation date June 2004, also known as Juneteenth, whereas through the efforts of fellow texans, educators and scholars, after john sibley butler of the red mccombs school of business at university of Texas around co-author of the -- and co-author of the book "all that we can be" and dr. Edwin dorn, the contribution of the african americans to the united states military has been researched and examined and whereas I know you all thought that I would never get to this one, the john q. Taylor king buffalo soldiers fort tour is intended to foster further analysis of the contributions of african american members of the military to the establishment of the black middle class of american society and resulting civil rights movement which included landmark events such as the supreme court decision and brown versus topeka board of education, the civil rights act of 1964, the voting rights act of 1965, now therefore be it resolved by the Travis County Commissioners court that June 2004 is emancipation month in Travis County and be it further resolved that observing the rights and freedoms of american is of great value to our society as a whole, that 'em man operation date should be a symbol to all of courage of american ferns and the contributions since emancipation should be studied and the results of those studies be widely promulgated, I move approval.
>> sending.
>> so.
>> second.
>> so this is about emancipation day, rise of the middle class, buffalo soldiers, military service, other outstanding contributions of african americans in the united states since emancipation date with the special acknowledgment to the buffalo soldiers who have not gun given nearly the credit that they deserve. But lately we have seen them more and more, especially small groups, especially here at the Travis County Juneteenth celebrations. Now we will let the county judge be quiet and listen. Dr. King.
>> I am certainly grateful for this resolution. Not only what it needed -- not only in this state but in this country.
>> we appreciate it. For those wondering you are now not quite fully retired, but retired I guess from education for the most part. But still involve some in the family business. Continuing to work with the buffalo soldiers tour.
>> right.
>> that will be starting when, the tour itself.
>> June.
>> in June?
>> yes.
>> will go for the full month?
>> yes.
>> where is the fort located?
>> beg your pardon?
>> where is the fort?
>> oh, there are several. Fort mccallum, several forts in Texas that we plan to visit and to explain why they were there, what they did during the crucial period of their existence.
>> okay.
>> well, it's really an honor for me [indiscernible] for those of you that may not be aware, [indiscernible] and not only that, that dr. King taught me -- at highs tils college. I still remember all of that that trig. It just goes to show that huston tillotson college is a great institution. That persons, of a magnitude of dr. King who is here before us today, really just solidifies my belief in that. I want to let the public know that this is a great person that's standing here before, that's sitting here before us today. He continues to be a very active person in the community. In the african american community, I’m just thrilled to -- to know and to have been associated with such a great person. Thank you a lot, doctor king.
>> thank you very much.
>> thank you.
>> so dr. Anderson, where did he live?
>> he was born in seguin, raise understand galveston.
>> okay. -- raise understand galveston.
>> -- raised in galveston. Served worldwide.
>> that's how he happened to be there when granger -- [multiple voices]
>> when the ship landed, gordon granger stepped off, to read lincoln's emancipation proclamation, which was not the first written, lincoln's bean.
>> right.
>> [indiscernible]
>> sure is.
>> all in favor? That passes by unanimous vote. Congratulations and we appreciate your service. You, too, get to carry this beautiful proclamation with you.
>> I can assure that I will put it in a proper place.
Last Modified: Tuesday, April 13, 2004 5:54 PM