[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 55 (Wednesday, April 21, 1999)]
[House]
[Pages H2238-H2239]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
SAN JACINTO DAY
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the
gentleman from Texas (Mr. Green) is recognized for 5 minutes.
Mr. GREEN of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to continue with a
series of speeches designed to explain to my colleagues the history of
my home State of Texas.
On March 2 of this year I spoke to this body of the brave actions
taken by 54 men who signed the Texas Declaration of Independence, a
document modeled after the one signed almost 60 years earlier by our
Founding Fathers.
I also spoke to my colleagues of the brave sacrifices of the
defenders of the Alamo and of the massacre of Texas forces at Goliad.
Six weeks later, on the banks of San Jacinto River, approximately 750
Texans under General Sam Houston assembled, determined to avenge their
brothers.
On the morning of April 20, 1836, over 1,500 Mexican soldiers under
General Santa Ana approached the Texans' position. Driving off by fire
from the famous ``Twin Sisters'' cannon, he fell back to regroup.
The Texans, inspired by their initial success, were champing at the
bit. Houston, however, held them back, and sent his most trusted spy,
Erastus ``Deaf'' Smith, with a few men to burn Vince's Bridge, thus
cutting off the path of retreat for the Mexican Army. Mr. Speaker,
Vince's Bridge is in the 29th Congressional District that I am proud to
represent.
On the 21st, today's anniversary, though, Houston was ready to
strike. With the Mexican Army still in its camp, Houston gave the order
to advance, and the Texans did not hesitate. I say ``Texans,'' Mr.
Speaker, because that force was made up of a lot of new immigrants to
Texas from the United States. Texas has always been an immigrant State.
When within 70 yards the word ``fire'' was given, the Texan shouts of
``Remember the Alamo'' and ``Remember Goliad'' rang along the entire
line. Within a short time 700 Mexican soldiers were slain, with another
730 taken as prisoners. The whole battle lasted less than 30 minutes.
From that point on, Texas was firmly established in the community of
nations, seeking recognition. For 10 years she would remain an
independent nation, until President James K. Polk signed the treaty
admitting Texas to the United States in 1845.
A panel on the side of the monument at the San Jacinto battleground
today underscores the importance of the battle after more than a
century and a half of reflection: ``Measured by its results, San
Jacinto was one of the most decisive battles of the world.''
The freedom of Texas from Mexico won here led to annexation and to
the Mexican War in 1845, resulting in the acquisition by the United
States of the States of Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, Nevada, California,
Utah, and parts of Colorado, Wyoming, Kansas, and Oklahoma.
Now, Mr. Speaker, at one time or another I am sure, coming from
Texas, we claimed all those States as part of Texas, but they really
were not. Almost one-third of the present area of the American Nation,
nearly a million square miles, changed sovereignty starting with the
battle of San Jacinto.
The San Jacinto battlefield was in the 29th Congressional District
until 1996 when the Federal courts changed our lines, and now it is in
the 25th Congressional District.
This major event in our history is remembered not only as a battle
for Texas independence, but is a victory over freedom and dictatorship.
Mr. Speaker, I hope the House and all of America will join those of us
from Texas in celebrating that victory for freedom.
Mr. Speaker, I include the following for the Record:
[From the Houston Chronicle, Apr. 21, 1999]
San Jacinto
a day to remember great, unvarnished history of texas
``Measured by its results, San Jacinto was one of the
decisive battles of the world.''
``So begins the simple inscription at the base of the
towering San Jacinto Monument. The obelisk, visible from the
modern glass castles of downtown Houston, holds its head high
over a few quiet, lowland acres at the confluence of Buffalo
Bayou and the San Jacinto River. There fate and the future
noisily and auspiciously crossed paths and swords on this
date in 1836.
``The freedom of Texas from Mexico,'' the inscription
continues, ``won here led to annexation and to the Mexican
War, resulting in the acquisition by the United States of
[[Page H2239]]
Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, Nevada, California, Utah, and
parts of Colorado, Wyoming, Kansas and Oklahoma. Almost one-
third of the present area of the American nation, nearly a
million square miles, changed sovereignty.''
That is more than worthy of note and remembrance.
But, even unvarnished, Texas history is a magnificent story
in and of itself. And that is too often lost in these days of
headline news and semi-literacy and our natural preoccupation
with the present.
When Gen. Sam Houston and Gen. Antonio Lopez de Santa Ana,
and their respective armies, met on the field that day, the
combat lasted but 18 minutes--the killing went on for more
than two hours. Knowing and understanding the reasons why,
indeed the reasons there was a battle in the first place,
ought to be at least as much a part of modern Texans'
knowledge base as, say, what the weather might be tomorrow.
But, sadly, it far too often is not. Yes, we remember the
Alamo, but too few of us these days can remember and recount
exactly why.
And so, we pick a day of anniversary, a day of remembrance
to give more than just a passing thought to what and why and
how what we see before us, both the good and the bad, came to
be.
We observe San Jacinto Day with good cause here in Texas,
our Texas.
____
Ceremonies to Mark Battle of San Jacinto
Chief Justice Tom Phillips of the Texas Supreme Court will
deliver the keynoted address today during a ceremony marking
the anniversary of the Battle of San Jacinto.
The 10:30 a.m. ceremony at the San Jacinto Monument is to
honor the Texans who died April 21, 1836, when a small force
led by Sam Houston surprised and defeated a larger Mexican
force led by Gen. Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna.
The Mexican leader fled during the battle but was captured
a short time later, leading to Texas' independence from
Mexico.
Today's ceremony also will salute the 30th anniversary of
the modern-day Texas Army, which appears in costume at such
events and performs cannon and musket salutes.
Musical entertainment will be provided by the Skylarks and
by K.R. Woods and the Fathers of Texas. A barbecue also is
planned, for which tickets are $10. Admission to the ceremony
is free.
On Saturday, the San Jacinto Volunteers will present their
ninth annual re-enactment of the Battle of San Jacinto. The
living history camp will feature Texan and Mexican armies
beginning at 10 a.m., with uniformed characters demonstrating
camp cooking, candle and soap making, weapons and other
activities from the Texas Revolution era.
A narrated ``battle'' is set for 3:30 p.m. with cannons
booming, muskets firing and battle drums echoing to signal
the clash of Texan and Mexican cavalry and infantry. The day
concludes with a re-enactment of Santa Anna's surrender to
Houston and a ceremony honoring those who died in the battle
163 years ago.
The San Jacinto Battleground is on Texas 134, or
Battleground Road, north of Texas 225. For more information
call 281-479-2431.
____________________