"Fort Bend Independent School District needs to restore community faith and stop disrespecting the community's desire for the Sugarland 95. All parties, including the community, thought the matter was settled when the school district publicly committed to transferring the property and the care of the Sugarland 95 to the County. A bipartisan Fort Bend delegation, which I was a part of, passed legislation enabling Fort Bend County to operate the cemetery House Bill 4179 was signed into law by the Governor. The school district has now reneged on this deal.

"I am shocked that Fort Bend ISD held a ceremony for the Sugarland 95 after receiving so much public outcry. Countless community members and public stewards came out against the School Board's new plan for the Sugarland 95. The board's actions sparked heated public meetings, and even the school board’s hired-gun community consultant publicly resigned from the district’s planned project because the school district is acting “notwithstanding the [Sugarland 95 Planning and Memorialization] Committee’s recommendations or the outcries from the community stakeholders.”

"The school board unilaterally moving forward with ceremonies such as Sunday’s is a breach of the public trust. Before the board’s most recent election this May, their attitude was different. But they still serve at the behest of their community and are up for election every May. If they do not listen to the community, they are breaching the duties of their office. We hope for better public servants.

"The Fort Bend County Commissioners’ Court has long stood ready to provide permanent care for the Sugarland 95 by maintaining a cemetery and memorial. But it has been rumored in the community that Fort Bend ISD’s Board thinks it knows what is best for “those people,” their constituents.

Fort Bend ISD’s Superintendent Charles Dupre has said it is callous to describe his plan as a mass grave, but reburying all the remains in a “unified vessel” without notice to descendants nor the consent of family members is not only in violation of the Texas Health and Safety Code, it is callous and out of touch with reality. Fort Bend ISD’s Board and Superintendent are making decisions unfit for their respective offices. Maybe it is time for us, the community, to elect leaders who listen and have our best interests at heart."

Thank you,

Senator Borris Miles is a successful businessman, owning one of the largest African American owned insurance agencies in Texas. He was elected to the Texas Senate in 2016 after serving four terms in the Texas House of Representatives. He represents Senate District 13, which encompasses much of the greater Houston area in Harris County and portions in Fort Bend County.