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 80^th 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.