[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 22 (Thursday, March 2, 2000)]
[Senate]
[Page S1114]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS

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                         TEXAS INDEPENDENCE DAY

 Mrs. HUTCHISON. Mr. President, I rise today to talk about an 
important point in our history and that is to commemorate this day 164 
years ago, Texas Independence Day.
  Each year, I look forward to March 2d. This is a special day for 
Texans, a day that fills our hearts with pride. On this day 164 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. My great, 
great grandfather was there, signing the declaration of independence. 
As most of the delegates did, he 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.
  While the convention sat in Washington-on-the-Brazos, 6,000 Mexican 
troops held the Alamo under siege, challenging 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. 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 pledged their lives, honor, and treasure for freedom.
  On this day, I read Colonel Travis' letter to my colleagues in the 
Senate, a tradition started by my friend, the late 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 later that same month. Their deaths gave birth to Texas 
Independence and we became a nation, a status we enjoyed 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.
  I am very pleased to, once again, commemorate our great heritage and 
history.

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