[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 152 (Wednesday, September 12, 2018)]
[House]
[Pages H8109-H8110]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                            VICTORY OR DEATH

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from 
Texas (Mr. Poe) for 5 minutes.
  Mr. POE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, there is a battle brewing back home in 
Texas. According to news reports, it seems that some in our education 
system have taken issue with one of the most treasured and significant 
historical letters in Texas history, Lieutenant Colonel William Barrett 
Travis and his passionate plea in his letter ``to all the people of 
Texas and all Americans in the world.''
  To add insult to injury, they have also called into question the 
heroic nature of Travis and the 187 volunteers who sacrificed their 
lives at the Battle of the Alamo on March 6, 1836.
  A committee evaluating the State's history curriculum standards has 
proposed that we eliminate the study of Travis' historical ``Victory or 
Death'' letter. They have also recommended that we remove the word 
``heroic'' from the curriculum because it is a value-charged word, a 
hero and the heroes of the Alamo.
  Well, to quote Travis, I have a value-charged word or two to say 
about that: ``Victory or death,'' Mr. Speaker. These are the most 
iconic words in Texas history. That is our battle cry and has been our 
battle cry since 1836. It is who we are.
  Texas' defiant, independent nature was born from those words of that 
letter written from behind the walls of a besieged Alamo mission in 
Bexar, Texas. The words on that paper are as much a part of who we are 
as the blood that runs through our veins.
  We shall ``never surrender or retreat,'' to quote Travis. We cannot 
allow political correctness to rewrite any history or, in this case, 
edit history.
  Maybe they didn't take Texas history from Mrs. Wilson, like I did. 
However, it seems now that this committee is walking back that original 
suggestion.
  Whatever the case, the Travis letter is every bit the core and soul 
of freedom as the words of Jefferson in the Declaration of 
Independence. He says: ``I have answered that demand with a cannon 
shot, and the flag still waves proudly over the north wall. I shall 
never surrender or retreat.''
  Mr. Speaker, history is the greatest teacher we have. Book burners 
who want to erase from textbooks ``the establishment of the Republic of 
Texas brought civil, political, and religious freedom to Texas'' are 
just trying to ignore history.
  Those elites who want to rip the Travis letter from our Texas history 
books dishonor the sacrifice of 187 freedom fighters at the Alamo, of 
all races, from most of the States and several foreign countries, 
including Mexico. These individuals gave their last full measure of 
devotion to liberty.
  Webster's dictionary may not define ``hero'' with the names of those 
who died March 6, 1836, at the Alamo, but it should.
  Travis isn't just my favorite hero. He has intertwined himself 
throughout my life. He is the inspiration of why I am a lawyer. He was 
a lawyer.
  My first grandson is named Barrett Houston. And inscribed along the 
bottom of my stationery are the words, ``I shall never surrender or 
retreat.''
  Travis' letter hung on my wall of the courtroom in Texas and still 
hangs in my office today in D.C.
  Because of men like William Barrett Travis and the Alamo defenders, 
we are called the great State of Texas. Travis' legacy embodies the 
passion and loyalty that makes Texans stand out in the world. To 
consider anything to the contrary is a disgrace.
  We must preserve one of our greatest treasures in Texas history so 
that future generations can learn the meaning of ``what is due to his 
own honor and that of his country.'' God and Texas.
  Mr. Speaker, I include in the Record the Travis letter.

                                      Commandancy of The Alamo

                                           Bejar, Feby. 24th. 1836
       To the People of Texas & All Americans in the World--Fellow 
     Citizens & compatriots--
       I am besieged, by a thousand or more of the Mexicans under 
     Santa Anna--I have sustained a continual Bombardment & 
     cannonade for 24 hours & have not lost a man--The enemy has 
     demanded a surrender at discretion, otherwise, the garrison 
     are to be put to the sword, if the fort is taken--I have 
     answered the demand with a cannon shot, & our flag still 
     waves proudly from the walls--I shall never surrender or 
     retreat. Then, I call on you in the name of Liberty, of 
     patriotism & everything dear to the American

[[Page H8110]]

     character, to come to our aid, with all dispatch--The enemy 
     is receiving reinforcements daily & 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 & die like a soldier who never forgets what is due 
     to his own honor & that of his country--
       Victory or Death.
                                           William Barrett Travis.
                                                   Lt. Col. comdt.
       P.S. The Lord is on our side--When the enemy appeared in 
     sight we had not three bushels of corn--We have since found 
     in deserted houses 80 or 90 bushels and got into the walls 20 
     or 30 head of Beeves.
       Travis.

  Mr. POE of Texas. And that is just the way it is.

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