[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 30 (Thursday, February 15, 2018)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E192-E193]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 SAN ANTONIO'S TERCENTENNIAL YEAR--1718

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                              HON. TED POE

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, February 15, 2018

  Mr. POE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the City 
of San Antonio and its residents on the 300th anniversary of the city's 
founding. San Antonio has grown from a small farming community along 
the banks of the San Antonio River into the 7th largest city in the 
United States.
  Its rich history and vibrant culture is what makes it truly unique. 
The first flag to fly over Texas was the Spanish flag. Spain laid 
official claim to what is now parts of Texas from 1716 to 1821, as part 
of the Viceroyalty of New Spain, or Colonial Mexico. On May 1, 1718, 
the Mission San Antonio de Valero--later known as the Alamo--was 
established.
  The Tejanos' place in Texas history took root in the 1700s when the 
land was under Spanish rule. A group of mostly Spanish-Indians loyal to 
the Spanish crown pushed their colonial empire north from Mexico to 
found a military post and religious missions to establish San Antonio. 
As frontier people, they were mainly ranchers and farmers and developed 
a culture unique to them. Settling northeastern Mexico, the area of 
modem day San Antonio, many of their customs reflected that of 
traditional Mexican heritage, but with an independent Texas twist.
  San Antonio is home to five missions established along the San 
Antonio River in the 1700s by Catholic missionaries. The five missions 
are all but three miles apart from each other: Mission San Antonio de 
Valero (The Alamo), Mission Concepcion, Mission San Jose, Mission San 
Juan, and Mission Espada. The missions served to make the American 
Indians into Spanish citizens. By entering the missions, the Indians 
pledged to follow the rules of Spain. They set aside their traditional 
life to learn a new language, accept a new religion and pledge 
allegiance to a new king.
  Today the missions represent a connection with our past. The missions 
depict classic Spanish architecture, domes and bell towers, and 
sanctuaries that still have active parishes and cultural centers. The 
missions are a part of every Texan's history.
  Military Plaza was first established in 1722 as a parade ground and 
market square for the Spanish troops stationed there. Today, the only 
noticeable evidence of the Spanish troops marching and living in the 
plaza is the Spanish Governor's Palace. The area has been the heart of 
the city and today is the commercial and government center of San 
Antonio.
  Any Texan will tell you that water is very important to our state, 
and water is what contributed to San Antonio's rich history. The San 
Antonio River comes from the Edwards Aquifer Spring Field north of 
downtown San Antonio. With this natural resource, the missions and 
plaza were located close by. It provided a clean reliable source to the 
missionaries and soldiers.
  The river supported agricultural operations at the missions through 
an irrigation system created by the early settlers. Portions of this 
water system remain used today, 300 years later.
  Over the years, the Tejanos prospered and furthered their distinction 
from the Spanish crown and from other parts of Mexico. A failed attempt 
by the Tejanos against Spanish rule gained new hope when Mexico won 
independence from Spain in 1831.
  By this time Texas had seen a significant influx of settlers from the 
United States, and like the Tejanos, had a culture unique as the land 
it occupied. As Texas' distinction from Mexico grew, so did the desire 
for local rule and sovereignty.
  The passion for independence spread throughout Texas and San Antonio 
and on March 2, 1836, 54 delegates signed the Texas Declaration of 
Independence and the fight for freedom began. 187 freedom fighters 
started assembling in an old beat-up mission in San Antonio.
  Juan Seguin and his company of Tejanos rode into the Alamo and 
readied for battle alongside William Barrett Travis, Jim Bowie and Davy 
Crockett. This rag-tag group of relentless patriots, made up of men 
from nearly every state in the Union and 13 foreign countries, 
including Mexico, readied for one of the most storied battles in our 
history.
  Outnumbered by an overwhelming Mexican army, these Texas warriors 
knew that surrender was not an option. Retreat was never on the table. 
Victory or death.
  On February 23, 1836, Santa Ana's army of 1500 well-armed troops 
unleashed on the defenders of the Alamo. During the siege, Travis sent 
out his famous call for reinforcements.

[[Page E193]]

Juan Seguin was the last messenger to leave, riding through enemy lines 
carrying the final message from the beleaguered mission. Unfortunately, 
the call for help was not answered in time. Travis and 187 volunteers 
sacrificed their lives on the altar of freedom after thirteen glorious 
days at the Alamo.
  Regrouping in Gonzales, Seguin and his company of Tejanos joined 
General Sam Houston in the final battle for independence along the 
marshy banks of the San Jacinto River. This was the only Tejano unit at 
San Jacinto. As not to confuse the Tejanos with Santa Anna's army, 
General Sam had Seguin put a playing card in the head band of each 
Tejano so they could easily be recognized. In an impromptu siege on the 
sleeping enemy, General Sam and his boys routed the Mexican Army 
yelling, ``Remember the Alamo!'' ``Remember Goliad!'' Most of the enemy 
were killed or wounded. The rest were captured or disappeared, the 
victory was stunning.
  Texas became a free, independent nation that day and claimed what is 
now Texas and parts of New Mexico, Oklahoma, Kansas, Colorado and 
Wyoming. In June of 1836, Juan Seguin accepted the official Mexican 
surrender of San Antonio and later saw that the remains of those that 
perished at the Alamo received an honorable burial.
  A plaque on the Alamo wall states: ``The Alamo: The Thermopylae of 
Texas.'' The Alamo is a tribute to all those that are defiant against 
any form of tyranny. It is important for us to recognize all those that 
sacrificed for freedom, yesterday, today and tomorrow. Remember who we 
are and what we stand for--remember the Alamo.
  Whether it is the river walk, historic missions, floating parades, 
amazing food or the Alamo that you love about going to San Antonio; 
there is something for everyone of every age. This year as San Antonio 
celebrates 300 years of history, I encourage everyone, whether you're a 
longtime Texan or a transplant, to take the time and learn something 
new about San Antonio's unique and fascinating history. Three centuries 
later, that same dogged determination that filled that little Spanish 
mission is what continues to set Texas apart from all the rest.
  And that's just the way it is

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