[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.

[[Page H905]]

  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.

[[Page H906]]

  

  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.

[[Page H907]]

  

  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.

                          ____________________