Texas Buffalo Soldier History
1988 Soldiers In Blue Committee, Abilene Texas,
formed to increase African American history in Abilene schools.
Buffalo Soldier exhibits and the Junior Buffalo Soldiers Reading Club are two examples of programs developed through partnerships
with African American Teachers in the Abilene Independent School District.
1990 TPWD developed partnership with Soldiers In Blue Committee,
Abilene, Texas to conduct
Buffalo Soldier Programs for TPWD minority outreach initiative.
1995 TPWD purchased the Soldiers In Blue-Buffalo Soldiers Program from the Soldiers In Blue
Committee, Abilene, Texas.
1995 Ken Pollard transferred to TPWD Austin Headquarters
to develop the Soldiers In Blue-Buffalo Soldiers Program into a statewide program.
1995 TPWD - Official name change to the Texas Buffalo Soldiers Program.
Texas Buffalo Soldier Educational Projects
Exploring
Texas Roots Cultural Research Projects
Blazing
New Trails Outdoor Educational Projects
1995 TPWD - Developed framework for Texas Buffalo Soldiers Heritage
Trail Initiative as an umbrella program for the 3 Texas Buffalo Soldier Projects. Started execution of pilot projects to determine
feasibility, procedure & working examples of heritage education/heritage tourism initiatives.
1995 Initiated statewide Texas Buffalo Soldiers Safety
& Risk Management Program for outdoor educational programs, Equipment Loan Program, Volunteer/Partner Policies & Procedures,
Living History Program Training, American Camping Association Training and Volunteer Workforce Training.
1995 H.B. No. 2031 - Dan Kubiak Buffalo Soldier Heritage
pilot program for at-risk youth. TPWD- Texas Buffalo
Soldiers Program, Menard County private
contractor promoting Buffalo Soldier Heritage at Fort McKavett and Washington County Buffalo Soldiers Program established in 1993, serve as
the basis for the concept of using Buffalo Soldier Heritage as an intervention tool for certain children considered to be
at-risk.
Texas State Parks and State Historic Fort
Sites were required to be used by program contractors for execution of pilot at-risk
youth program. Buffalo Soldier Heritage pilot program contractors required to be in good standing with TPWD as part of contract
requirements.
Kubiak | Giddings | Lewis, Glenn | Price | Hunter, Bob &
Senator West
1996 Soldiers In Blue Committee official name change to
Abilene Heritage Committee. Continued as primary advisor and supporter of the TPWD-Texas Buffalo Soldiers Program.
1999 SB 1457 - BUFFALO SOLDIERS HERITAGE MONTH; Provides
that July is Buffalo Soldiers Heritage Month in honor of the bravery and dedication of Texas' Buffalo Soldiers and in recognition
of their contribution to the legendary history of the Lone Star State.
Requires
Buffalo Soldiers Heritage Month to be regularly observed by appropriate ceremonies and activities.
West-
Ellis & Representatives Hunter | Green | Lewis, Glenn | Junell | Jones, Charles
2005 HR 1611 - Texas Buffalo Soldiers Heritage Trail
WHEREAS, The heritage trail is based on, and supports and encourages the use of,
Texas State Parks and State Historic Sites, the Texas Historical Commission Local History & Heritage Tourism Program,
county historical commission preservation activities, and local, state, and national historical sites; structurally, the trail
is divided into 12 corridors, each approximately 50 to 100 miles in width, that include natural and historical sites connected
to the history of the buffalo soldiers; two supplemental segments identify sites that relate to these troops but lie outside
the corridors; and
WHEREAS, The development of this heritage trail promises myriad benefits to the
State of Texas and its citizens;
WHEREAS, In addition, programs offered by Texas Parks and Wildlife at points along the
trail are expected to increase environmental awareness and introduce children and adults to a variety of outdoor recreation
activities and skills; and
RESOLVED,
That the House of Representatives of the 79th Texas Legislature hereby
commend the Texas Parks
and Wildlife Department and Texas Historical Commission on their collaboration
in developing the Texas Buffalo Soldiers Heritage Trail and extend to all associated with this endeavor sincere best wishes
as they continue to bring this outstanding project to fruition.
Hunter-Hilderbran-Chavez H.R. 1611
2006 Dr. AC Jackson worked with soon to be retired, the
Honorable State Representative Dr. Bob Hunter, for Recognition Months to recognize the military history of the American Indian
Scouts and the western heritage contributions of the Juneteenth Frontier Cowboys.
2007 Texas Buffalo Soldiers Association
formed to serve in the memory of the Buffalo Soldiers, while preserving places of conscience and places of commemoration with education.
2007 Testimony 80th
Legislative Session re:
· HCR 93 August 2007 American
Indian Scouts Month
· HCR 94 June 2007 Juneteenth/Frontier
Cowboy Month
2007 18
State Historical Sites transferred from TPWD to THC, and in accordance
with Article IX, §19.81(d) of HB 1, the TPWD Buffalo Soldiers Interpretive Program may use the Sites for the fulfillment of
the mission and objectives of the Program at no cost to TPWD.
