[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 194 (Thursday, December 7, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2316]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                            TEXAS STATEHOOD

                                 ______


                           HON. MARTIN FROST

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, December 7, 1995

  Mr. FROST. Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity, before 
Congress recesses for the holidays, to bring to the attention of my 
colleagues a very significant anniversary coming up next month in my 
home State of Texas.
  On December 29, 1995, the people of Texas will celebrate our 
sesquicentennial of statehood. Entering the Union as its 28th State, 
Texas has consistently played a pivotal role in all facets of American 
history. Texas has supplied to this Nation a wealth of human talent in 
every field of endeavor--from science and technology to business and 
commerce; from academics to government; and from entertainment to 
agriculture; to name only a few.
  Mr. Speaker, on April 21, 1995, the regular session of the 74th Texas 
Legislature adopted House Concurrent Resolution No. 118, commemorating 
the sesquicentennial of Texas statehood. I ask that the full text of 
House Concurrent Resolution No. 118 be published in the Congressional 
Record at the conclusion of my remarks. The resolution follows:

              The State of Texas, House of Representatives


                      house concurrent resolution

       Whereas, The year 1995 will mark 150 years since the United 
     States of America admitted Texas as the 28th state in the 
     union; and
       Whereas, The sesquicentennial of Texas statehood is a truly 
     momentous occasion that allows all Texans to reflect on their 
     state's proud heritage and bright future; and
       Whereas, Acting on the advice of President John Tyler, the 
     United States Congress adopted a joint resolution on February 
     28, 1845, inviting Texas to enter the union as a state with 
     full retention of its public lands; today, a century and a 
     half later, Texas enjoys the distinction of being the only 
     state admitted with such extensive rights; and
       Whereas, The citizens of the Republic of Texas were deeply 
     committed to the goals and ideals embodied in the United 
     States Constitution, and, on June 16, 1845, the Congress of 
     the Republic of Texas was convened by President Anson Jones 
     to consider the proposal of statehood; and
       Whereas, Texas took advantage of the offer, choosing to 
     unite with a large and prosperous nation that could more 
     effectively defend the borders of Texas and expand its 
     flourishing trade with European countries; by October 1845, 
     the Congress of the Republic of Texas had approved a state 
     constitution, charting a bold new destiny for the Lone Star 
     State; and
       Whereas, The proposed state constitution was sent to 
     Washington, D.C., and on December 29, 1845, the United States 
     of America formally welcomed Texas as a new state; the 
     transfer of governmental authority, however, was not complete 
     until February of 1846, when Anson Jones lowered the flag 
     that had flown above the Capitol for nearly 10 years and 
     stepped down from his position as president of the Republic 
     of Texas; and
       Whereas, With the poignant retirement of the flag of the 
     Republic, Texas emerged as a blazing Lone Star in the 
     American firmament, taking its place as the 28th state 
     admitted into the union; Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the 74th Legislature of the State of Texas, 
     Regular Session, 1995, hereby commemorate the 
     sesquicentennial of Texas statehood and encourage all Texans 
     to take note of this historic occasion.

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