[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 24 (Wednesday, March 1, 2006)]
[House]
[Page H472]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 CELEBRATING THE INDEPENDENCE OF TEXAS

  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Davis of Kentucky). Under a previous 
order of the House, the gentleman from Texas (Mr. McCaul) is recognized 
for 5 minutes.
  Mr. McCAUL of Texas. Mr. Speaker, on March 2, 1839, the Republic of 
Texas declared its independence on the banks of the Brazos River, which 
eventually gave rise to the great Lone Star State. Tomorrow, in honor 
of this historic event in Texas and American history, we will celebrate 
Texas Independence Day.
  I am proud to say that part of this great story of freedom, 
independence and democracy took place in the 10th Congressional 
District of Texas, the district I am proud to say I represent.
  Texas Independence Day marks a time when today's Texans honor and 
celebrate the work and sacrifice of Texans many generations ago, people 
who heroically claimed their freedom from Mexico and sought out their 
own destiny governed by the laws of a true democracy, a constitution 
written by the people and the colors of their country's flag waving 
over what would become the free and independent Republic of Texas.
  Between 1820 and 1836, the Mexican Government offered Americans the 
opportunity to live and work in Texas under Mexican rule, but they grew 
disheartened by the tyranny and depression. In the Steven F. Austin 
Colony, which was the first colony, Texans first established a 
provisional government in 1835 with the intention of writing a 
declaration of independence soon after. However, the Mexican army was 
intent on destroying any move toward Texas independence, and the 
Consultation of 1835, as it was known, adjourned without the 
organization needed to continue the cause for freedom.
  Less than a year later, many of the same delegates present at the 
Consultation of 1835 arrived along the banks of the Brazos River in the 
town of Washington, just north of the Austin Colony, which is now 
Austin County.
  By the spring of 1836, the encroachments on Texans' basic freedoms 
had reached a flash point. On March 1, 1836, 59 delegates hailing from 
all corners of Texas arrived at the village of Washington along the 
Brazos River to decide the principles they would invoke in claiming 
their freedom from Mexico.
  There, these brave men drafted the language that would declare their 
independence from Mexico, and they did so knowing full well that they 
may have to pay the ultimate price for freedom. As the delegates along 
the Brazos River wrote the Texas declaration of independence, patriots 
like Davy Crockett, Jim Bowie and William Travis fought and died for 
Texas freedom at the Alamo.
  After successfully gaining independence from Mexico, Republic of 
Texas President Sam Houston in 1842 moved the Republic's capital to the 
birthplace of Texas, Washington on the Brazos River. Three years later, 
by an act of the United States Congress, Texas was made part of the 
American Union and became the 28th State of the United States of 
America.
  There can be no argument about the Lone Star State's significant 
contributions to American history, and we must remember the actions and 
the sacrifices of those who made Texas independence a reality.
  Washington on the Brazos represents an historic event that took place 
long ago, but tonight we remember Washington on the Brazos as the place 
where the proud Republic of Texas was born with the desire for freedom 
and an undying spirit of democracy.
  Today, we see that same spirit and determination for freedom and 
democracy in our fighting men and women overseas and in the people and 
countries they have liberated. As with the first Texans, those people 
in distant lands know what it means to be liberated from tyranny and 
drink from the cup of freedom. They, too, will succeed and flourish in 
a free and democratic society.

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