[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 36 (Wednesday, February 28, 2024)]
[Senate]
[Pages S1031-S1032]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]



                         Texas Independence Day

  Mr. CRUZ. On Saturday, March 2, the great State of Texas will 
celebrate 188 years since we declared our independence from Mexico and 
fought for liberty. In the fight for our independence, many brave 
Texans laid down their lives at the Alamo, including William Barret 
Travis, James Bowie, and Davy Crockett. They risked everything to make 
liberty a reality for generations of Texans to come.
  It is a tradition on Texas Independence Day to read the words of 
Colonel Travis, leader of the besieged forces at the Alamo. His call 
for reinforcements resounded across Texas, across America, and across 
the world, and it reminds us of the bravery of those who fought there 
and died for liberty.
  I have had the blessing to read this letter aloud many, many times, 
and every time, it stirs the spirit and speaks to the heart.

                                     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, &

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     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 
     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.
                                   [Signed] 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.
  At the battle of Santa Jacinto on April 21, 1836, the Texans finally 
secured a decisive victory. We won our independence and formed the 
Republic of Texas, a new nation. Texas was an independent nation for 9 
years before we officially became part of the United States of America 
in February of 1846.
  Sam Houston, the founding father, the George Washington of the Lone 
Star State, was also born 231 years ago on March 2, on Texas 
Independence Day. Sam Houston was an extraordinary American. He was 
born in Virginia. He spent many years in Tennessee, where he served in 
the U.S. House of Representatives and then became Governor of 
Tennessee. In Texas, he led the Texans to victory in the Battle of San 
Jacinto.
  When Texas became an independent nation, Sam Houston served as 
President twice before Texas finally became part of the United States. 
Later, he served in the U.S. Senate and finally as Governor of Texas. 
He is the only man in American history to serve as Governor of two 
separate States.
  Sam Houston was a tireless, talented leader and a great statesman who 
believed in liberty. His words, ``Govern wisely and as little as 
possible,'' still ring true today, and the Lone Star State still 
follows that adage.
  To every Texan, I wish you a gloriously happy Texas Independence Day.
  May God continue to bless the great State of Texas and the United 
States of America.
  I yield the floor.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Illinois.