[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 211 (Friday, December 29, 1995)]
[Senate]
[Page S19311]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS

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                   TEXAS' STATEHOOD SESQUICENTENNIAL

 Mr. GRAMM. Mr. President, I am honored today to recognize a 
momentous occasion in the history of the great State which I have the 
privilege to represent, the proud Lone Star State of Texas. This month 
we recognize and celebrate Texas' statehood sesquicentennial, 150 years 
during which we have been blessed and have prospered.
  The spirit of Texas has been evident since our earliest days, when we 
were conceived in the eternal struggle for freedom. The men and women 
of Texas have an innate and inherent commitment to God and country, and 
even our flag displays a single star--our people have always looked to 
the Heavens.
  No utterance in our State's history better represents the spirit, 
virtue, and values of Texas, then or now, than the remarkable letter 
written on February 24, 1836, by William Barret Travis at the Alamo:

       To the People of Texas and all Americans in the world--
       Fellow citizens and compatriots--
       I am besieged, by a thousand or more of the Mexicans under 
     Santa Anna--I have sustained a continual Bombardment and 
     cannonade for 24 hours and have not lost a man--The enemy has 
     demanded a surrender at discretion; otherwise, the garrison 
     are to be put to the sword, if the fort is taken--I have 
     answered the demands with a cannon shot, and our flag still 
     waves proudly from the wall--I shall never surrender or 
     retreat. Then, I call on you in the name of Liberty, or 
     patriotism and of everything dear to the American character, 
     to come to our aid, with all dispatch--The enemy is receiving 
     reinforcements daily and will no doubt increase to three or 
     four thousand in four or five days. If this call is 
     neglected, I am determined to sustain myself as long as 
     possible and die like a soldier who never forgets what is due 
     to his own honor and that of his country--Victory or Death.
                                            William Barret Travis,
                                    Lieutenant Colonel Commandant.

  Colonel Travis' letter captures the heart and soul of the people of 
Texas, and I am honored to recognize the statehood sesquicentennial of 
my beloved Texas.

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