For some reason, the entire message did not go through when forwarded, so here it is: In a message dated 02/21/2001 10:32:24 AM Mountain Standard Time, [email protected] writes: <<I'm Phil Roberts and I think I may have had a relative who fought at Shiloh. Close but not cigar just yet. Additionally I'm Vice-President of the Austin Genealogical Society. Following is a note sent to me by a member. There has been no publicity in any of the local papers, and this pending bill is offensive to me. To deny me the opportunity to honor my past history, and heritage should be an offense to all of us. The reason I feel this group may have an interest is that one of the individuals who's statue would be removed from the university campus is Gen. Albert Sydney Johnston. Please read the following and if you are as outraged as I am, write, call, email, these or anyone else you know in the Texas Legislative process and let them know your feelings. Phil Roberts If you're not from Texas, feel free to contact my representative, Terry Keel P.0. Box 2910 Austin, Tx 78768 (512)463-0652 Currently there is a Bill pending in the Texas Legislature of immediate concern to Texas genealogists and historians. HB 953. This bill calls for the removal of ALL statues related to the Confederate States of America, which just happen to be the statues by Pompeo Coppini. The bill allows for these statues to be destroyed, if so desired by the UT Regents, but at the least to be HIDDEN AWAY FROM VIEW OF THE PUBLIC. These are magnificent works of art. Below you can find the web site for the bill - type in HB953 and you can see the action thus far. Right now, these bills are in committee. Once the committee discusses and votes, they get voted upon. You can contact the Clerk (phone listed below) and the representatives who are on the committee. I have copied the phone numbers and the (very few) e-mail addresses next to their names for your convenience. If you prefer to write: Texas State House of Representatives, P. O. Box 2910, Austin, TX 78768-2910. Be sure to contact your own representative, even if he/she is not on the committee. If you aren't sure who that person is, go to: http://www.house.state.tx.us/house/member.htm and search by your address. What items are next to be destroyed because of the poor knowledge of history and playing the race card in every action? http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/tlo/billnbr.htm By Burnam H.B. No. 953 Line and page numbers may not match official copy. Bill not drafted by TLC or Senate E&E. A BILL TO BE ENTITLED 1-1 AN ACT 1-2 relating to Confederate statues at the University of Texas at 1-3 Austin. 1-4 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: 1-5 SECTION 1. The University of Texas of Austin shall remove 1-6 from public view all statues of Jefferson Davis, president of the 1-7 Confederate States of America; Robert E. Lee, General in Chief of 1-8 the Armies of the Confederate States; John H. Reagan, Postmaster 1-9 General of the Confederate States; and Albert Sidney Johnston, 1-10 General of the Confederate States Army, located on the campus of 1-11 the university. The statues may be placed in storage away from 1-12 public view or disposed of in any other way considered appropriate 1-13 by the board of regents of The University of Texas System. 1-14 SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2001. Clerk: Jeff Blaylock Phone: 463-0814 Room: EXT E2.108 Chair: Rep. Steven Wolens (512) 463-0746 Vice-Chair: Rep. Sylvester Turner (512) 463-0554 [email protected] Members: Rep. Kevin Bailey (512) 463-0924 Rep. Kim Brimer (512) 463-0632 Rep. David Counts (512) 463-0480 Rep. Tom Craddick (512) 463-0500 Rep. Debra Danburg (512) 463-0504 Rep. Paul J. Hilbert (512) 463-0572 [email protected] Rep. Bob Hunter (512) 463-0718 Rep. Delwin Jones (512) 463-0542 Rep. John Amos Longoria (512) 463-0618 Rep. Kenny Marchant (512) 463-0468 Rep. Brian McCall (512) 463-0594 [email protected] Rep. Ruth Jones McClendon (512) 463-0708 Rep. Tommy Merritt (512) 463-0750 >>>>