[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 37 (Monday, February 27, 2023)]
[House]
[Pages H904-H907]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
CELEBRATING TEXAS INDEPENDENCE DAY
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under the Speaker's announced policy of
January 9, 2023, the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Weber) is recognized for
60 minutes as the designee of the majority leader.
General Leave
Mr. WEBER of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all
Members may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks
and submit extraneous materials.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from Texas?
There was no objection.
Mr. WEBER of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I want to celebrate in advance Texas
Independence Day on March 2, 1836.
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They say everything is better in Texas. Let me just tell you, I am
here to confirm that that rumor is true. More correctly, it is no
longer a rumor.
We have a saying in Texas, and that goes like this: It ain't bragging
if it's facts, and that's the facts about Texas.
Mr. Speaker, I am glad to be joined by my good Texas friends from
both sides of the aisle to celebrate Texas Independence Day.
On March 2, 1836, that was the day the Republic of Texas was born.
During the Texas Revolution, a convention of 59 Texans met at
Washington-on-the-Brazos and declared our independence of Texas from
Mexico. The declaration decried the arbitrary acts of oppression and
tyranny from the Mexican Government under the dictator General Antonio
Lopez de Santa Anna.
In particular, it noted that the government had ``ceased to protect
the lives, liberty, and property of the people from whom its legitimate
powers are derived.''
The Texans signing that declaration sought to protect our rights of
free speech, our rights to keep and bear arms--sounds familiar--and our
rights of freedom of religion.
I am proud to report these same freedoms still hold true in Texas
today.
March 2 is a day that all Texans come together and celebrate the
calls of ``Come and Take It'' and ``Remember the Alamo.'' We remember
and honor the pioneering, independent, trailblazing spirit of the great
State of Texas.
Independence has flowed through the veins of Texans ever since. May
our thirst for freedom never die, and may we and our offspring always
remember that freedom is worth fighting for.
Mr. Speaker, just like those iconic frontier days, we are still at
work using what my grandfather--who came over on a boat from Germany,
by the way, in 1903--what my grandfather called good old-fashioned
Texas horse sense to get the job done. You tell kids that today, ``good
old-fashioned horse sense,'' and they look at you funny. They call it
common sense. The sad fact of the matter is that common sense isn't
very common these days, but in Texas, it is still alive and doing quite
well.
Before turning it over to my fellow Texans here tonight, I would like
to share two of my favorite quotes from Davy Crockett, who was a Member
of Congress from Tennessee. His first quote is: ``I must say as to what
I have seen of Texas, it is the garden spot of the world, the best land
and best prospects for health I ever saw, and I do so believe it is a
fortune to any man to come here.''
Of course, when Crockett ran for reelection to the U.S. House of
Representatives, he got defeated. Then he uttered his second, probably
more famous quote. He said to the people who voted him out: Of course,
I may not know what you all want to do. I am going to Texas. Y'all can
all go to hell.
I am just quoting Davy Crockett, Mr. Speaker.
Mr. Speaker, I am proud to be a Texan and even prouder to represent
the great people of Texas here in Washington. As the song says, ``God
Bless Texas.''
Mr. Speaker, I recognize the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Babin), who is
also my good friend.
Mr. BABIN. Mr. Speaker, I really appreciate my very good friend and
fellow Texan, Representative Weber, for this Special Order.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize one of the most important days
in the history of this world, and that is Texas Independence Day. March
2 marks the day that 59 heroic Texians gathered at Washington-on-the-
Brazos to ratify the Texas Declaration of Independence.
We know that this freedom didn't come without great bloodshed at
sites like Gonzales, the Alamo, Goliad, and San Jacinto. There is a
painting of the Alamo right there.
The fortitude of these men and the countless others who gave their
lives is why the Lone Star State exists today, 187 years later. As a
lifelong student of history and a former member of the Texas Historical
Commission, I am incredibly proud to represent the San Jacinto
Battleground here in my district, in the 36th District of Texas, where
a Texian army, under General Sam Houston, officially secured
independence following a defining battle at San Jacinto that lasted a
mere 18 minutes amid cries of ``Remember the Alamo.''
The Republic of Texas reigned as an independent nation for 9 years
before being admitted into the United States as the 28th State of the
Union. Since its addition, Texas has flourished as one of the most
prominent States in the country, emerging as a leader in many vital
sectors, including agriculture, space exploration, military readiness,
technology, tourism, and much more.
Our State is also home to many of the Nation's top medical centers. I
went to school at one, Texas Medical Center.
Texas leads in energy production. In fact, it creates twice as much
energy as the next highest State in the Union. In fact, as its own
country today, Texas would be among the top 10 largest economies in the
entire world.
It is simply remarkable and no wonder why Texans have so much pride.
After all, everything in Texas is bigger and better.
We Texans don't like to brag. We just tell the truth; it just sounds
like we are bragging.
I believe that those who envisioned what Texas could be so long ago
would be absolutely and mighty pleased to see how far we have come.
To all of my fellow Texans, I say happy Independence Day. May God
continue to bless our beloved Lone Star State.
Mr. WEBER of Texas. Mr. Speaker, it is now my distinct honor to have
one of our newest stars from Texas, Ms. De La Cruz, come share with us.
Ms. De La CRUZ. Mr. Speaker, I stand before you today to honor our
heroes of the Texas Revolution.
On February 24, 1836, over 187 years ago, a group of Texians and
Tejanos were surrounded by General Santa Anna in a little mission known
around the world as the Alamo.
It is my high honor to read Lieutenant Colonel William Travis'
stirring words.
``Commandancy of the Alamo Bejar, February 24, 1836. To the People of
Texas and All Americans in the World--Fellow Citizens and Compatriots:
I am besieged by a thousand 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 if the fort is taken. I have
answered the demand with a cannon shot, and 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, and everything dear
to the American character, to come to our aid with all dispatch. The
enemy is receiving reinforcements daily and will no doubt increase to
3,000 or 4,000 in 4 or 5 days.
``If this call is neglected, I am determined to sustain myself as
long as possible and die like a soldier who never forgets what is due
to his own honor and that of his country.
``Victory or death. William Barret Travis, Lieutenant Colonel
Commandant.
``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.''
We know that the Texans lost this battle, but they did not lose the
war. Cries of ``Remember the Alamo'' swept across the land, and from
these ashes arose a nation, a land built on faith, family, and freedom.
{time} 2015
I stand here in Congress as a proud Tejana and encourage my fellow
Texans to remember the fearless men and women who built this land, our
land, known worldwide as Texas.
Mr. WEBER of Texas. Mr. Speaker, at this time I yield to the
gentleman from Texas (Mr. Self), another rising star in the Texas
delegation.
Mr. SELF. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize one of the drafters and
signers of the Texas Declaration of Independence, Collin McKinney.
I was privileged to serve as the county judge in the County of
Collin, in the county seat of McKinney, obviously named for this Texas
hero.
Recently, we erected a larger-than-life statue of Collin McKinney in
his hometown of Anna, Texas. I rise to recognize this larger-than-life
hero in the State of Texas.
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Mr. WEBER of Texas. Mr. Speaker, it is my distinct honor to recognize
another fellow Texan who has been very instrumental in this Congress.
Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Sessions).
Mr. SESSIONS. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Texas for
yielding.
Mr. Speaker, tonight, we join Texans back home in a day of
celebration for the State of Texas. The State of Texas, as you have
heard, began its formation not just at the Alamo but as people came to
Texas with the understanding that we wanted the freedom of our own
country.
That is when, on February the 24th, the day after the siege of the
Alamo began, heroism and opportunity filled the Alamo with ideas not
only that they wanted to have their own country, but about a land, a
land of people, a land of freedom, and a land that would be full of
opportunity.
Mr. Speaker, that is what we still stand for in Texas, a State that
has distinguished itself not only in honor and in principle but in the
opportunity to be a part of the United States of America, one Nation
under God, the opportunity to serve in war after war with the United
States military, the armed forces of this country. Texas has produced
for years, not just heroes like Davy Crockett and Colonel William
Barret Travis, but produced in every single war in this country those
men and women who would stand for the opportunity to make this country
stronger and better.
Tonight, as we begin the celebration of Texas Independence Day, it
should be remembered that here in Washington, D.C., this delegation is
proud of not only who we are and what we stand for, but we are proud to
be the 28th State in the United States of America.
In 1845, we left Texas being a country to join the United States of
America. The heroism, the pride of authorship, and the love which we
have for the State of Texas we also share for our country, the United
States of America.
I thank the gentleman for leading the Texas delegation tonight as we
stand on the floor to give thanks.
``Texas, our Texas. All hail the mighty State.''
Mr. WEBER of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from
California (Mr. LaMalfa), a good friend of ours.
Mr. LaMALFA. Mr. Speaker, I might be an oddity here. Why is a guy
from California standing here tonight?
First of all, as a friend to my great Texas colleagues and neighbors,
so to speak.
Congratulations to the State of Texas, the people of Texas, on their
anniversary, and also all that goes with that independence, that spirit
that I admire of the people of Texas and its long, great history.
I think we need a lot more of that across the whole country, because
you can always, I think, trust a Texan to stand up for this country.
So as a Californian, we used to have a lot of that same spirit, as
pioneers of the West, going back to the gold rush, and we have, indeed,
a lot of great things to point toward in my home State. But we are on
harder times, self-inflicted.
I think the spirit of patriotism, of America first that is exhibited
by Texans, is indeed one the whole country can use.
It was interesting when we were talking about annexation a little bit
earlier here, where Texas might look like it might take over the world
sometimes. I wouldn't doubt it; it is possible. But in my home State of
California, there is kind of a mass exodus from my State to others,
escaping the cost of living, the regulations, some of the other crazy
things that are going on in my home State. Indeed, the recipient of a
lot of those good folks that are leaving is the State of Texas. So I am
not sure if California is trying to annex Texas or if Texas is annexing
California a little bit here. But I hope at least it is to the benefit
of Texas as we try and sort through our issues and getting back on
track, such as growing so much of the Nation's food supply that comes
from my State and conserving the water to do so. But I am getting off
on a tangent here.
Indeed, there is much to admire. Every chance I get to be in the
State, it feels like an extension of home to me. I come from a very
rural part of northern California, and we listen to a lot of the same
music and eat similar food and farm and ranch maybe in a similar way.
So hats off, literally, to the people of Texas. The only thing I
can't get along with, as a 49ers fan, is the Dallas Cowboys. That is
about the only thing, but we will leave that aside.
I am indeed glad to stand here with you tonight and wish the best and
a happy anniversary of Texas independence.
Please keep leading the way. You are going to lead our Nation through
difficult times with your spirit.
God bless Texas.
Mr. WEBER of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for his
remarks.
Mr. Speaker, a little historic perspective of what Congressman
LaMalfa was saying. When you think about how Texas came into the Union,
he called it annexation, but the truth of the matter is, Texas came
into the Union unlike any other State in the history of the world,
really. All the other States were annexed. Texas was a republic, so we
came in by treaty. Of course we did. We had to do it our own way.
If you think back to that time, Mr. Speaker, things were happening
really fast. After America won its independence in 1781, the battle of
Yorktown, some 30 years later, I guess, or 40 years later, Mexico, in
1821, won its independence from Spain. A scant 15 years later, the
Texicans, as we were called, won our independence from Mexico.
Now, when Congressman LaMalfa was talking about annexation, how
annexation was happening fast--of course, Pete Sessions was right.
Texas entered the Union as the 28th State on December 29, 1845. I think
about that, Mr. Speaker, from time to time.
What was the legislature of Texas thinking back then when we had a
chance to annex the rest of the United States? What were they thinking?
But nonetheless, that is what they did.
It is my distinct pleasure now to bring up another rising star in the
Texas delegation, Nathaniel Moran.
Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Moran).
Mr. MORAN. Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank my friend and
colleague, Mr. Weber, for gathering us all here today in commemoration
of one of my favorite holidays, Texas Independence Day. It is a great
day to celebrate.
On March 2, 1836, a group of brave Texans adopted the Texas
Declaration of Independence to create the Republic of Texas.
This occurred in the midst of one of the greatest sacrificial stands
for liberty in American history, the battle of the Alamo, that famously
lasted 13 days and cost the lives of all combatants who were inside
those walls.
``Remember the Alamo'' was the cry that day that went out that
inspired our Texans to victory and propelled us to liberty in this
great State.
The story of freedom for Texas mirrors the story of freedom for the
United States. It was borne out of selfless sacrifice by so many
looking for a better life, looking to carve out a better life for their
families, a life that they could make with their own hands, with their
decisions, with government out of the way.
Freedom will always find a way, and there are always those who will
rise to the occasion when the time comes. I am certain of that. We see
many of those here today that are rising to the occasion to speak for
liberty and to speak for freedom, just as those Texans did a long time
ago.
With gratitude to so many from outside Texas who made that dream a
reality, especially those who volunteered from Kentucky and from
Tennessee, we celebrate the day Texas declared its independence. We
share it with those who gratefully gave and graciously gave to Texas
during that time. We honor their sacrifices and those of so many more
who made it possible in the generations afterward.
Texans are tough-minded, kindhearted, and hardworking. They have a
deep love for our Lord, service to one another, and working to better
their community.
These are the values of Texas. They are the values I was raised with
and the values I am proud to pass down to my four children.
I am extremely proud to represent the First District of Texas, the
only State in the Union to have been its own republic.
So happy Independence Day, Texas, and God bless you in the years to
come.
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Mr. WEBER of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I will say all of our speakers today
laid out an exact reason why Texans love freedom and why they are
willing to fight for freedom at any cost.
We need to be teaching our children that freedom isn't free. I hope
we are. Texans get it. Freedom isn't free.
I want to end by saying: May all the United States join us in
reclaiming what the song says so eloquently: ``God blessed Texas.'' I
say amen and amen.
Congratulations, Texas.
Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
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