[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 36 (Tuesday, March 6, 2012)]
[House]
[Page H1166]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                              {time}  1230
                         REMEMBERING THE ALAMO

  (Mr. OLSON asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. OLSON. Madam Speaker, 176 years ago, the Alamo fell. Every Texan 
fighting for independence was either killed or executed. I would like 
to read a portion of the last letter sent from the Alamo by its 
commander:

       Fellow citizens and compatriots, I am besieged by 1,000 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 a surrender at discretion. 
     Otherwise, the garrison are to be put to the sword . . . I 
     have answered the demand with a cannon shot, and our flag 
     still waves proudly from the walls. I shall never surrender 
     or retreat . . . Victory or death.

  Signed, William Barret Travis, Lieutenant Colonel Commander at the 
Alamo.
  Remember the Alamo. God bless Texas.

                          ____________________