HR1525 - Commemorating the 150th anniversary of the community of Barrett.

      H.R. No. 1525       R E S O L U T I O N          WHEREAS, Residents of Barrett are celebrating the 150th   anniversary of their community with a Founders Day event on   June 14, 2025; and          WHEREAS, Harrison Barrett, the community's founder and   namesake, was born in Texas around 1845 to Simon and Eliza Barrett;   his parents, who came from Louisiana, had several other children,   but during slavery, the family members were separated; and          WHEREAS, Immediately after emancipation in 1865, Harrison   Barrett and his wife, Annie Jones Barrett, made a 30-mile trek to   Houston to have a justice of the peace legally formalize their   marriage; Mr. Barrett spent several years finding his relatives and   reuniting them on land east of the San Jacinto River that he planned   to purchase; he cut down trees on the property to build seven houses   and helped his family members start farms; he and his wife were   blessed with 12 children; and          WHEREAS, Mr. Barrett established a sawmill, gristmill, and   coffee mill, and he granted open access to the fish and crawfish in   the spring and gully near his homestead; in 1889, the White owner of   the land finally agreed to sell it to Mr. Barrett for 50 cents an   acre, and the holding was one of the largest to be acquired by a   freedman in Harris County; the community initially became known as   Barrett's Settlement, and as it grew, Mr. Barrett donated land for   Shiloh Baptist Church, which also served as a school; and          WHEREAS, In 1917, Mr. Barrett passed away; he, his wife, and   four other family members are interred in the Journey's End   Cemetery near his original homestead; twice rebuilt by descendants,   the house still stands today; in 1947, the community gained a high   school and a post office branch, known as Barrett Station; today,   the area is home to approximately 5,000 people; and          WHEREAS, Harrison Barrett inspired generations through his   resilience, determination, and deep commitment to his loved ones,   and it is truly a pleasure to join in marking this milestone in rich   history of the community that he founded; now, therefore, be it          RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 89th Texas   Legislature hereby commemorate the 150th anniversary of Barrett and   extend sincere best wishes to all those taking part in the 2025   Founders Day celebration; and, be it further          RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be   prepared for the community as an expression of high regard by the   Texas House of Representatives.     Dutton     ______________________________   Speaker of the House                 I certify that H.R. No. 1525 was adopted by the House on June   2, 2025, by a non-record vote.     ______________________________   Chief Clerk of the House