[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 195 (Tuesday, December 11, 2018)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1641]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     THE REPUBLIC OF TEXAS CONGRESS

                                 ______
                                 

                              HON. TED POE

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, December 11, 2018

  Mr. POE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, Texas was its own republic from 1836 
to 1845. Just like any other republic, the young country had a 
legislature, outlined in the Constitution of the Republic of Texas. The 
Congress of the Republic of Texas was based on the United States 
Congress. Both were bicameral and had a similar committee structure and 
age requirements to be elected.
  Throughout its short history, the Nation of Texas had nine 
congresses. The first Congress gaveled in on October 3, 1836 in 
Columbia, Texas. In November of 1839, the Texas Congress met for the 
first and only time in Austin. However, Austin was considered too 
dangerous of a meeting place because it was on the western frontier and 
more exposed to Native Americans, so the Republic's Congress would meet 
in Houston and Washington-on-the-Brazos between 1842 and 1845.
  After Texas was admitted to the Union in 1845, Austin was reaffirmed 
as the capitol of Texas. The first capitol building in Austin was 
completed in 1855 but burnt down in 1881. The next capitol building, 
which is still where the state legislature meets, was dedicated in 
1888. Texans are quick to point out that the Texas Capitol is 15 feet 
taller than the United States Capitol.
  To belabor the point, the San Jacinto Monument that honors the 
victory and independence of Texas from Mexico, is taller than the 
similar Washington Monument.
  And that's just the way it is.

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