Travis County Commissioners Court
June 24, 2008
Item 5
5. Approve proclamation designating June 24, 2008 as "Travis County history day." health and human services dept. Items that's today. Alicia, you want to read it? Rehearsal for your noon reading?
>> judge, and Commissioners court, alicia perez, executive manager for administrative operation. I have with me here a committee that has worked on Travis County history day and we will celebrate between noon and 1:00 at the heman marion sweatt Travis County courthouse. We have a brochure that is a historical perspective on the courthouses which housed the business of this county government. Since 1840. Our seal says 1839, 1839 is when the militia was called out. And then the county was officially established in January of 1840. I want to -- to introduce to my left leslie strickland with
>> [indiscernible] management and judge you want to introduce yourself and say a couple of words.
>> david phillips, thank you for this recognition. Every time we turn a corner, we find something new in the courthouse. That's something old. There's on display in the main lobby, on the second floor, what used to be the main lobby, right now a picture of the Travis County bar in -- in 1947. And I was astounded to see it because it contains -- it's a small number of lawyers. Less than 100. It contains seven women. And one african-american man. Which was astounding to me because I have never heard of him. I have to go do some research, lamkin. Somebody told me they went to school with his children, so I have got to do some research and come up with a report on him. But I had never heard of him before. When judge Biscoe and I first started practicing law, he a few years before I did
>> [laughter]
>> are you sure about that?
>> [laughter] come on judge. I always told the story just the opposite.
>> every county office was in that building over there. The district attorney, the county attorney, the surveyor, the county health officer, everything was in that building. It's a remarkable display, we encourage everybody to come over and see it. I won't take up more of your time.
>> judge, you may have coined a new country and western title of a sock, something new, finding something new something old. You may be on to something here, judge.
>> I will send it to my cousin.
>> > in -- to my right is anne greenberg, an attorney with wall should anderson. And you used to be a Travis County employee and moved on to better and bigger things, we really wanted to thank her and her firm for lending us anne the time that she's dedicated to this project. And/or most charming and I call her a perfect Texas woman, margie stewart alford, the chairman of the committee with the Travis County historical Commissioner.
>> wonderful to be here. Today I was wondering this morning, it will all be over today at 1:00. But I hope that we have a good turnout. It's a great day for --
>> okay. Of course without -- without introduction, everyone knows her, but amalia rodriguez mendosa, has done a lot of work, very interested finds, I'm going to let you introduce your archivist.
>> to my left is christie, our archivist, with us for four months and has done an amazing job of putting together some of the documents that you will see on display today. It's just been gratifying to come across some of those old documents that really tell the story about Travis County, by what was happening at the time. About the society. So I want everybody to appreciate that every piece of paper and document that comes through the courthouse has -- has historical significance and we want to preserve it. So I encourage you to come look at our display. I think that you will be very impressed. You will be happy to be part of a -- of this project as well. Thank you for your support.
>> okay. Steven broberg and kimberly jamail also part of our team. We will go ahead and read the proclamation. Says whereas the congress of the republic of Texas established Travis County in January of 1840, named after william barrett travis, a Texas patriot who died at the battle of the alamo and whereas Travis County has grown dramatically from a frontier settlement of 854 residents, to a cosmopolitan community of nearly a million, with a colorful heritage, quilted over 168 years as each new generation reached for its dreams, by building on the achievements of those in the past. And whereas in 2005 Travis County named this building the heman marion sweatt Travis County courthouse to honor the nobel legacy of this brave citizen and the historic events which occurred here in the fight for equality and education for all americans. And whereas Travis County originally opened the doors of this courthouse in June of 1931 at a time when our country faced great economic peril and world challenges to freedom. This courthouse was built as a community symbol of its dedication to justice, democracy and optimism for the future of its citizens. And whereas Travis County seeks to provide the continued, for the continued welfare of our community by building a bridge between our past and our future through preserving our important historic heritage. Whether it is written on paper or in the stones of the courthouse, to remind each generation that it can boldly face its challenges with the same courage and determination as those who have gone before. Now, therefore, let it be known that the -- that the Travis County Commissioners court hereby proper claims June the 24th, 2008 as Travis County history day and encourage the citizens to celebrate the proud history and heritage of our great county of travis.
>> I move approval.
>> second.
>> that's today from 12:00 to 1:00.
>> that's correct.
>> where in the courthouse will the celebration take place.
>> second floor lobby.
>> and we have overflow to the third floor and where else?
>> fourth floor.
>> and the public is invited.
>> absolutely,.
>> lemonade, coffee and cake.
>> judge on behalf of the Austin bar association, we are one of the co-sponsors along with the county and historical commission. We want to welcome anyone who would like to attend. We have self guided tours after his honor the judge gives us some opening remarks. A few other comments. We will have tours and there's some beautiful displays and I think that it's a great opportunity to open the doors to the courthouse and have -- have everyone have that insight into our proud history today. We thank you very much for this opportunity.
>> judge, you mentioned earlier about
>> [indiscernible] do you remember his first name.
>> kenneth.
>> kenneth romell lamkins.
>> a fellow that new year's ago, his name was kenneth lamkins, I think that there are father at that time was an attorney lamkin. I think it's probably a feedback from that, but I'm not absolutely sure, but I do know that the person that I remember years ago here growing up his name was kenneth lamkin. It may be tied to what you just brought up.
>> I would love to get that information to find him and ask him some questions.
>> I will see what we can do.
>> thank you.
>> thank you.
>> lest someone be scared off by the previous statements, the judge's welcome and other comments will be very, very brief today.
>> thank you to the Austin bar association, the black lawyers association, the hispanic bar of Texas also for being co-sponsors.
>> all in favor? That passes by unanimous vote.
>> do we have an original to sign.
>> sure do.
>> thank you.
>> thank you all for your hard work.
>> see you at noon at the courthouse.
>> appreciate you.
>> if you will just wait one moment, we will give this to you to take over.
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Last Modified:
Tuesday, June 24, 2008 1:51 PM