[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 12 (Tuesday, January 30, 1996)]
[Senate]
[Pages S562-S563]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         COMMEMORATING THE SESQUICENTENNIAL OF TEXAS STATEHOOD

  Mr. LOTT. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate 
proceed to immediate consideration of Senate Concurrent Resolution 40, 
submitted earlier by Senators Hutchison and Gramm.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report.
  The bill clerk read as follows:

       A concurrent resolution (S. Con. Res. 40) to commemorate 
     the sesquicentennial of Texas statehood.

  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there objection to the immediate 
consideration of the concurrent resolution?
  There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the 
concurrent resolution.
  Mrs. HUTCHISON. Mr. President, I rise today to commemorate a very 
special event in the history of my State. This recognition is almost 
identical to one passed by the Texas State Legislature on March 7, 
1995.
  Just last month, on December 29, 1995, Texas celebrated the 
sesquicentennial of their statehood. Unlike all other States ever 
admitted, we gave up the sovereignty of an independent republic to join 
the Union.
  On March 1, 1845, Congress passed a resolution inviting the Republic 
of Texas to join the Union, and a special convention of Texans met to 
consider it, under the leadership of Thomas Jefferson Rusk. The 
convention accepted the offer on July 4, and its decision was ratified 
by the people in October. We submitted a constitution, which Congress 
accepted on December 29.
  Rusk went on to become the first U.S. Senator from Texas, and I, the 
great-granddaughter of his law partner, now hold his seat. Taylor and 
Rusk had signed the Texas Declaration of Independence from Mexico in 
1836.
  Texans mark the 29th, quietly, as the commencement of our statehood, 
although we didn't lower the Lone Star and post the Stars and Stripes 
until February 19, 1846. We must have been happy with statehood in 
1955, because we expressly renounced the right to fly 

[[Page S563]]
the flag of our old Republic at the same level as that of our Union. 
Our legislature mandated that it fly in a subordinate position, in a 
manner followed by all other States.
  Although independence remains the signal day in Texas history, Texans 
look upon their statehood with pride, as a means of conferring 
blessings upon the people of all the States. When Old Glory was raised 
for the first time in Austin, TX, Anson Jones, the last President of 
the Republic of Texas, stated with eloquence:

       The lone star of Texas, which ten years since arose amid 
     cloud, over fields of carnage, and obscurely shone for a 
     while, and following an inscrutable destiny, has passed on 
     and become fixed forever in that glorious constellation which 
     all . . . lovers of freedom in the world must . . . adore--
     the American Union. Blending its rays with its sister stars, 
     long may it continue to shine, and may a gracious heaven 
     smile upon this consummation with the wishes of the two 
     republics, now joined together in one.

  Thank you, Mr. President. I yield the floor.
  Mr. LOTT. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the concurrent 
resolution be considered and agreed to, the preamble be agreed to, the 
motion to reconsider be laid upon the table, and that any statement 
relating to the resolution appear at the appropriate place in the 
Record.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  So the concurrent resolution (S. Con. Res. 40) was agreed to.
  The preamble was agreed to.
  The concurrent resolution, with its preamble, is as follows:

                            S. Con. Res. 40

       Whereas 1995 marks 150 years since the United States of 
     America admitted Texas as the 28th State in the Union;
       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;
       Whereas acting on the advice of President John Tyler, the 
     United States Congress adopted a joint resolution on February 
     28, 1845, inviting the Republic of 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;
       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;
       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;
       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 19, 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 America's 
     firmament, taking its place as the 28th State admitted into 
     the Union: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved by the Senate (the House of Representatives 
     concurring), That the Congress--
       (1) commemorate the sesquicentennial of Texas statehood; 
     and
       (2) encourage all Texans to observe such day with 
     appropriate ceremonies and activities on this historic 
     occasion. The Secretary of the Senate shall transmit a copy 
     of this resolution to the Texas Congressional Delegation, to 
     the Governor of Texas, to the National Archives, and to the 
     Texas Archives.

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