[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 18 (Monday, March 2, 1998)]
[Senate]
[Page S1193]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         TEXAS INDEPENDENCE DAY

  Mrs. HUTCHISON. Madam President, I rise today to talk about a point 
of history as well. That is to commemorate, today, from 162 years ago, 
Texas Independence Day.
  Each year I look forward to March 2. This is a special day for 
Texans, a day that fills our hearts with pride. On this day, 162 years 
ago, a solemn convention of 54 men, including my great great 
grandfather Charles S. Taylor, met in the small settlement of 
Washington-on-the-Brazos. There they signed the Texas Declaration of 
Independence. The declaration stated:

       We, therefore . . . do hereby resolve and declare . . . 
     that the people of Texas do now constitute a free, sovereign 
     and independent republic . . .

  At the time, Texas was a remote territory of Mexico. It was 
hospitable only to the bravest and most determined of settlers. After 
declaring our independence, the founding delegates quickly wrote a 
constitution for the new born republic. Then they organized an interim 
government.
  As was the case when the American Declaration of Independence was 
signed in 1776, our declaration only pointed the way toward a goal. It 
would extract a price of enormous effort and great sacrifice.
  While the convention sat in Washington-on-the-Brazos, 6,000 Mexican 
troops were marching on the Alamo to challenge the newly created 
republic. Several days earlier, from the Alamo, Col. William Barrett 
Travis sent his immortal letter to the people of Texas--and to all 
Americans. He knew the Mexican Army was approaching. And he knew that 
he had only a very few men to help defend the San Antonio fortress. 
Colonel Travis wrote:

       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, of 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 solder who never 
     forgets what is due to his own honor and that of his 
     country--Victory or Death. William Barret Travis, Lt. Col. 
     Commander.

  What American, Texan or otherwise, can fail to be stirred by Col. 
Travis' resolve? In fact, Col. Travis' dire prediction came true--4-
5,000 Mexican troops laid seize to the Alamo. In the battle that 
followed, 184 brave men died in a heroic but vain attempt to fend off 
Santa Anna's overwhelming army. but the Alamo was crucial in Tax 
independence. Because those heroes at the Alamo held out for so long, 
Santa Anna's forces were battered and diminished.
  Gen. Sam Houston gained the time he needed to devise a strategy to 
defeat Santa Anna at the Battle of San Jacinto, just a month or so 
later, April 21, 1836. The Lone Star was visible on the horizon at 
last.
  We Texans continue to commemorate the heroic times during which we 
won our independence, when we existed as a republic and finally joined 
the Union.
  Each year, on March 2, there is a ceremony at Washington-on-the-
Brazos State Park where there is a replica of the modest cabin where 
the 54 patriots laid down their lives and treasure for freedom.
  Each year, as close as possible to March 2, I read Colonel Travis' 
letter to my colleagues in the Senate, a tradition started by Senator 
John Tower. This is a reminder to them and to all of us of the pride 
Texans share in our history and in being the only State that came into 
the Union as a republic.
  Mr. President, I am pleased to continue the tradition that was 
started by Senator Tower because we do have a unique heritage in Texas 
where we did fight for our freedom. Having grown up in the family and 
hearing the stories of my great-great-grandfather, it was something 
that was ingrained in us--fighting for your freedom was something that 
you did. We did it for Texas and we have done it for America.
  I think it is very important that we remember the people who 
sacrificed, the 184 men who died at the Alamo, the men who died at 
Gilliard, who made it possible for us to win the battle of San Jacinto 
and become a nation which we were for 10 years before we entered the 
Union as a republic.
  Now we fly both flags proudly--the American flag and the Texas flag--
over our capital. I am very pleased to once again commemorate our great 
heritage and history.
  Mr. BAUCUS. Madam President, I ask unanimous consent to speak as in 
morning business.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.

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