News Release
Alabama-Coushatta Tribe of Texas
Texas state legislators will recognize members of the Alabama-Coushatta Tribe of Texas at the State Capitol on Tuesday, February 7 as part of the tribe’s Capitol Day.
The Tribal Council, along with members of the tribe and some elected officials from Polk County, will travel to Austin from their Reservation near Livingston, where they will be recognized from the floor of the Senate by Sen. Robert Nichols. Later in the day, Representative Trent Ashby will recognize the tribe from the floor of the Texas House of Representatives.
The tribe will also host a lunch on the Capitol grounds. Legislators and staff have been invited to attend and Senator Nichols and Representative Ashby will speak. Information about the tribe’s culture and history will also be displayed and tribal dancers will perform.
“This is a great opportunity for us to share with legislators from throughout Texas about our history and our contributions to Texas and the state’s economy,” said Ricky Sylestine, Chairman of the Alabama-Coushatta Tribe of Texas Tribal Council. “We appreciate the opportunity to help those who are serving in the Legislature learn about our tribe. We also look forward to visiting with them about Naskila Casino and its critical importance to the East Texas economy.”
The Alabama-Coushatta Tribe of Texas has the oldest reservation in Texas, located on approximately 10,200 acres near Livingston. The tribe is a fully functioning sovereign government with a full array of health and human services, including law enforcement and emergency services. There are more than 1,400 tribal members, about half of whom live on the reservation. The tribe is governed by an elected Tribal Council and advised by the Principal Chief and Second Chief.
The tribe operates Naskila Casino, an electronic bingo facility on the Reservation. Naskila is the second-largest employer in Polk County and responsible for more than 700 jobs. Last year, the U.S. Supreme Court affirmed the right of the tribe to offer electronic bingo on the Reservation.
For more information about Capitol Day or about the Alabama-Coushatta Tribe of Texas, please contact Jason Embry at (512) 560-3876 or jason@newwestcomms.com.
