H.R. No. 192

	R E S O L U T I O N
	WHEREAS, The November 2023 International Indigenous and
	Native American Indian Gathering in Del Rio, hosted by the Warren
	Perryman Foundation for Native American Research, provides a
	fitting opportunity to recognize a valued member of the
	organization, Rafaela Fay Lozano Brown; and
	WHEREAS, A historian, matriarch, and head elder of the United
	Warrior Band of the Seminole Nation, Rafaela Brown is a descendant
	of the John Horse Band of the Black Seminole tribe, which originated
	in Florida during Spanish rule; African Americans fleeing slavery
	found a haven there and assimilated with the Seminole people; in the
	mid-19th century, John Horse conducted groups of Seminoles along
	the Trail of Tears to Indian Territory and gained fame as both
	warrior and diplomat; he went on to lead a Seminole group to Mexico
	in search of freedom, and his success in fending off bandits and
	raiders earned him the rank of captain in the Mexican Army; and
	WHEREAS, The U.S. Army began recruiting Black Seminoles from
	Mexico to protect the Texas frontier, and in 1870, it established
	the Seminole Negro Indian Scouts; based at Fort Duncan and Fort
	Clark, the scouts engaged in 26 campaigns, and several received the
	Medal of Honor for their actions; many went on to serve in Buffalo
	Soldier regiments; and
	WHEREAS, Dedicated to her family's Black Seminole scout
	heritage, Ms. Brown has followed in the footsteps of her mother, the
	late Alice Fay Lozano, who contributed to books on tribal history;
	Ms. Brown is an educator by profession and uses her skills to raise
	awareness of the role played by Black Seminoles from the pioneer
	days onward; during the lifetimes of Chief William "Dub" Warrior
	and his wife, Ethel, she traveled with them to St. Augustine,
	Florida, to share her knowledge; and
	WHEREAS, Rafaela Brown has demonstrated an exceptional
	commitment to the remarkable legacy of the Black Seminole Nation,
	and she is indeed worthy of special recognition; now, therefore, be
	it
	RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 88th Texas
	Legislature, 3rd Called Session, hereby honor Rafaela Fay Lozano
	Brown for her contributions as a member of the Warren Perryman
	Foundation for Native American Research and extend to her sincere
	best wishes for the future; and, be it further
	RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
	prepared for Ms. Brown as an expression of high regard by the Texas
	House of Representatives.
	Morales of Maverick
	______________________________
	Speaker of the House
	I certify that H.R. No. 192 was adopted by the House on
	November 7, 2023, by a non-record vote.
	______________________________
	Chief Clerk of the House