[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 32 (Tuesday, March 2, 1999)]
[Senate]
[Pages S2070-S2071]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         TEXAS INDEPENDENCE DAY

  Mrs. HUTCHISON. Mr. President, I rise today to talk about a point of 
important history in our Nation; that is, to commemorate this day 163 
years ago, Texas Independence Day.
  Each year, I look forward to March 2nd. This is a special day for 
Texans, a day that fills our hearts with pride. On this day 163 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 and organized an interim government for the newborn 
republic.
  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 exact a price of enormous effort and great sacrifice. For 
instance, when my great, great grandfather was there, signing the 
declaration of independence, and then, as most of the delegates did, 
went on eventually to fight the Battle of San Jacinto, he didn't know 
it at the time, but all four of his children who had been left back at 
home in Nacogdoches died trying to escape from the Indians and the 
Mexicans who they feared were coming after them. Fortunately, he and 
his wife, my great, great grandmother, had nine more children. But it 
is just an example of the sacrifices that were made by people who were 
willing to fight for something they believed in. That, of course, was 
freedom--freedom, in that instance, of Texas at that time. But that is 
something, of course, all Americans cherish greatly.
  While the convention sat in Washington-on-the-Brazos, 6,000 Mexican 
troops were marching on the Alamo to challenge this 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 with 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.

[[Page S2071]]

     The enemy has demanded surrender at discretion, otherwise, 
     the garrison is to be put to the sword, if the fort is taken. 
     I have answered the demand with a cannon shot, and our flag 
     still waves proudly over the wall. I shall never surrender or 
     retreat. Then I call on you in the name of Liberty, of 
     patriotism, 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 his honor and 
     that of his country--VICTORY OR DEATH.
                       William Barrett Travis, Lt. Col. Commander.

  What American, Texan or otherwise, can fail to be stirred by Col. 
Travis' resolve?
  In fact, Colonel Travis' dire prediction came true--4,000 to 5,000 
Mexican troops laid siege 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, as we all in Texas know, was 
crucial to Texas' 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, on April 21, 1836. The Lone Star was visible on the horizon at 
last.
  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 
day on this day, I read Colonel Travis' letter to my colleagues in the 
Senate, a tradition started by my friend, 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 fought 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 you 
did.
  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 
Goliad, 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 State.
  I might add, we entered the Union by a margin of one vote, both in 
the House and in the Senate. In fact, we originally were going to come 
into the Union through a treaty, but the two-thirds vote could not be 
received and, therefore, President Tyler said, ``No, then we will pass 
a law to invite Texas to become a part of our Union,'' and the law 
passed by one vote in the House and one vote in the Senate. Now we fly 
both flags proudly--the American flag and the Texas flag--over our 
capitol in Austin, TX.
  I am very pleased to, once again, commemorate our great heritage and 
history. Thank you, Mr. President.

                          ____________________