[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 59 (Monday, April 26, 2010)]
[House]
[Pages H2849-H2851]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
HONORING THE LIFE AND ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF SAM HOUSTON
Mr. LYNCH. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the
resolution (H. Res. 1103) celebrating the life of Sam Houston on the
217th anniversary of his birth, as amended.
The Clerk read the title of the resolution.
The text of the resolution is as follows:
H. Res. 1103
Whereas Sam Houston was born at Timber Ridge Church, near
Lexington, Virginia, on March 2, 1793;
Whereas Sam Houston as an enlisted soldier fought
courageously in the War of 1812, and after receiving three
near-mortal wounds at the Battle of Horseshoe Bend, rose to
the rank of first lieutenant;
Whereas Sam Houston studied law, was admitted to the bar in
1818, and commenced practice in Lebanon, Tennessee;
Whereas Sam Houston became District Attorney in 1819,
Adjutant General of the State in 1820, and Major General in
1821;
Whereas Sam Houston was elected to the United States
Congress for the State of Tennessee in 1823 and again in 1825
before serving as Governor from 1827 to 1829;
Whereas Sam Houston moved to Oklahoma, served as an
advocate for Native American rights and a representative of
the Cherokee Nation, and then became a Cherokee citizen on
October 21, 1829;
Whereas Sam Houston moved to Texas in 1835 and joined the
movement to establish separate statehood for Texas;
Whereas Sam Houston was elected as the commander-in-chief
of the armies of Texas in 1836;
Whereas, on April 21, 1836, Sam Houston's forces defeated
Mexican President and General Santa Anna, securing Texas'
long sought independence;
Whereas the city of Houston, Texas, was named after then-
President of the Republic of Texas, Sam Houston, on June 5,
1837;
Whereas Sam Houston was elected the first President of the
Republic of Texas and served 2 terms, followed by 2 years
with the Texas Congress, after which he returned to serve as
President from 1841 to 1844;
Whereas, after Texas joined the Union in 1845, Sam Houston
was elected Senator to the United States Congress and served
from 1846 to 1859;
Whereas Sam Houston once again resigned his position with
Congress to serve as Governor of Texas from 1859 to 1861;
Whereas Sam Houston was deposed on March 18, 1861, because
he refused to take the oath of allegiance to the Confederate
States;
Whereas Sam Houston died in Huntsville, Texas, on July 26,
1863, and was then interred in Oakwood Cemetery;
Whereas Sam Houston is the only person in United States
history to have been the Governor of 2 different States,
Tennessee and Texas;
Whereas a memorial museum, U.S. Army base, national forest,
historical park, university, and the largest free-standing
statue of a United States figure recognize the life of Sam
Houston; and
Whereas Sam Houston still stands as a symbol for Texas
solidarity and is one of the most significant individuals in
the history of Texas: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the House of Representatives honors the life
and accomplishments of Sam Houston for his historical
contributions to the expansion of the United States.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from
[[Page H2850]]
Massachusetts (Mr. Lynch) and the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Olson) each
will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Massachusetts.
General Leave
Mr. LYNCH. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may
have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks
and add any extraneous materials.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from Massachusetts?
There was no objection.
Mr. LYNCH. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the Committee on Oversight and Government
Reform, I present House Resolution 1103 for consideration. This
resolution honors the life and accomplishments of Sam Houston for his
historical contributions to the expansion of the United States.
Introduced by my friend and colleague, Representative Mike McCaul of
Texas, on February 24, 2010, House Resolution 1103 was favorably
reported out of the Oversight Committee on April 14, 2010, by unanimous
consent. In addition, the legislation enjoys the support of over 50
Members of Congress.
As we all know, Sam Houston, a 19th century American soldier,
statesman and politician, played a pivotal role in the development of
the State of Texas as well as our collective national history. As a
soldier enlisted in the 7th Infantry Regiment, Private and then-First
Lieutenant Houston fought courageously in the Battle of 1812 during
which he received nearly mortal wounds at the Battle of Horseshoe Bend
in March of 1814.
As a practicing attorney in the State of Tennessee, Mr. Houston
served as a district attorney in 1819, as the State's adjutant general
in 1820, and then as a major general in 1821.
As a United States Representative elected to the 18th and 19th
Congresses, Mr. Houston proudly represented the State of Tennessee
before his service as the State's Governor from 1827 to 1829. As a
subsequent resident of the State of Oklahoma, Mr. Houston served as a
vocal advocate in support of Native American rights and in 1829 was
recognized as a member of the Cherokee Nation by the Cherokee National
Council. However, Mr. Houston is best known for his relentless efforts
to secure statehood for Texas.
In 1835, Mr. Houston moved to the Texas territory and promptly served
as a member of the convention at San Felipe de Austin, a gathering of
colonists designed to promote and establish separate statehood for
Texas. One year later, Mr. Houston was elected to serve as commander in
chief of the Texas army and in this capacity successfully led his
volunteer Texas forces against those of Mexican General Antonio Lopez
de Santa Ana in the Battle of San Jacinto. Notably, the battle
culminated with the signing of the Treaty of Velasco, which recognized
the Republic of Texas.
In recognition of his service, Mr. Houston was subsequently elected
to serve as the first President of the Texas Republic, a position that
he held from 1836 to 1838 and again from 1841 to 1844. Fittingly, the
city of Houston was named after the President of the Texas Republic in
1837.
Mr. Houston also served the Texas Republic as a member of the Texas
Congress from 1838 to 1840, and upon Texas' admission as a State into
the Union, served as a United States Senator from the 31st through the
34th Congresses. Mr. Houston would also serve as Governor of the State
of Texas from 1859 to 1861, making him the only person in the United
States to ever have served as the Governor of two different States.
Notably, Mr. Houston's tenure as a Texas Governor ended with his
refusal to take an oath of loyalty to the Confederacy following Texas'
secession from the Union, an act that Mr. Houston deemed illegal.
Mr. Houston died on July 26, 1863, at the age of 70. Fittingly, his
last words, as spoken to his wife, Margaret, were reportedly: ``Texas,
Texas, Margaret . . . ''
Mr. Speaker, let us honor the lasting contributions of Sam Houston to
the State of Texas and our national history through the passage of this
resolution, H. Res. 1103.
I urge my colleagues to join Mr. McCaul of Texas in supporting H.
Res. 1103.
I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. OLSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the resolution, and I
yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I am honored to rise today in support of H. Res. 1103,
introduced by a fellow Texan and colleague, Congressman Mike McCaul,
honoring the life and accomplishments of Sam Houston for his historical
contributions to the expansion of the United States.
Sam Houston lived an amazing and vibrant life. Shortly after moving
to Tennessee from his home in the State of Virginia, Sam was drawn to
the Cherokee Indians, a tribe that would have a profound impact on his
life.
At the age of 19, Sam Houston enlisted in the military to fight the
British in the War of 1812, where he distinguished himself for his
bravery and was wounded several times in battle. After the war, his
attention shifted to the study of law. In 1823, he was elected to the
first of two terms here in this body, the United States Congress,
before being elected Governor to the State of Tennessee in 1827. In
1828, Houston resigned from Tennessee politics, returning to live with
his longtime friends, the Cherokee Indians.
In 1835, Sam Houston left the Cherokee and his life in Tennessee and
moved to Texas, where he quickly gained notoriety for his leadership in
seeking independence from Mexico. In the wake of defeat at the Alamo on
April 21, 1836, Houston rallied the armies of Texas to victory,
decisively defeating Santa Anna and the Mexican Army at the Battle of
San Jacinto, securing independence for Texas and his heroic place in
the Nation's history.
Shortly after securing independence, Sam Houston was elected the
first President of the Republic of Texas, beginning a long and
successful career in Texas politics. He went on to serve a second term
as President of the Republic before being elected as a United States
Senator after statehood in 1845. In 1859, Houston continued his public
service when he was elected Governor of the State of Texas and became
the only person in U.S. history to serve as Governor in two States.
Though sometimes embroiled in controversy, Sam Houston was a
passionate, dedicated statesman who played an important role in shaping
this great Nation. I urge my colleagues to support this resolution and
honor the accomplishments of this important, if not heroic, figure in
American history and the history of my home State, the great State of
Texas.
Mr. GENE GREEN of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.
Res. 1103--Celebrating the life of Sam Houston on the 217th anniversary
of his birth. Sam Houston was born March 2, 1793, in Tiber Ridge,
Virginia.
General Houston was an American statesman, politician, and soldier.
He is a key figure in the history of Texas, including periods as the
1st and 3rd president of the Republic of Texas, as Senator after
annexation, and finally as governor.
In his early life, he moved to Tennessee, where he served in the
military during the War of 1812 and later had a successful career in
Tennessee politics. A fight with a Congressman led to his move to
Texas, where he soon became a leader of the Texas Revolution.
Houston attended the Convention of 1833, representing Nacogdoches,
and supported independence from Mexico. He was made a Major General of
the Texas Army in November 1835, then Commander-in-Chief in March 1836,
at the convention where he signed the Texas Declaration of
Independence.
At the Battle of San Jacinto on April 21, 1836, General Houston
surprised General Santa Ana and the Mexican forces, and in less than 18
minutes, the battle was over. General Santa Ana was forced to sign the
Treaty of Velasco, granting Texas independence. During the battle
General Houston was shot, shattering his ankle.
The settlement of Houston was founded in August 1836 by the Allen
brothers. It was named in Houston's honor and served as capital.
Houston was twice elected president of the Republic of Texas. He
served from October 1836 to December 1838, and again from December 1841
to December 1844. While he initially sought annexation by the U.S., he
dropped that hope during his first term.
After the annexation of Texas by the United States in 1845, Houston
was elected to the U.S. Senate. He served from February 1846 until
March 1859.
He twice ran for governor of Texas, unsuccessfully in 1857 and
successfully in 1859.
[[Page H2851]]
Despite Houston's being a slave owner and against abolition, he opposed
the secession of Texas from the Union.
Despite Houston's wishes, Texas seceded from the United States in
February 1861 and joined the Confederate States of America in March
1861. This act was soon branded illegal by Houston, but the Texas
legislature nevertheless upheld the legitimacy of secession. The
political forces that brought about Texas's secession also were
powerful enough to replace the state's Unionist governor.
To avoid bloodshed, Governor Houston chose not to resist, and instead
retired to Huntsville, Texas, where he died before the end of the Civil
War. Today, Governor Houston has a memorial museum, a U.S. Army base, a
national forest, a historical park, a university, and the largest free-
standing statue of an American figure, in his honor.
Mr. OLSON. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. LYNCH. Mr. Speaker, again I encourage my colleagues to join Mr.
McCaul and Mr. Olson of Texas in supporting H. Res. 1103, and I yield
back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the
gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. Lynch) that the House suspend the
rules and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 1103, as amended.
The question was taken.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds
being in the affirmative, the ayes have it.
Mr. LYNCH. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.
The yeas and nays were ordered.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX and the
Chair's prior announcement, further proceedings on this motion will be
postponed.
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