[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 159 (2013), Part 2]
[Senate]
[Page 2367]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                         TEXAS INDEPENDENCE DAY

  Mr. CORNYN. Mr. President, I rise to commemorate a very special day 
in history--a day that inspires pride and gratitude in the hearts of 
the people of the great State of Texas. I rise today to commemorate 
Texas Independence Day, which was actually this last Saturday, March 2.
  I will read a letter that was written 177 years ago from behind the 
walls of an old Spanish mission known as the Alamo--a letter written by 
a young lieutenant colonel in the Texas Army, William Barret Travis. In 
doing so I carry on a tradition that was started by the late John 
Tower, who represented Texas in this body for more than two decades. 
This tradition was later carried on by his successor, Senator Phil 
Gramm, and then by our recently retired colleague, Senator Kay Bailey 
Hutchison. It is a tremendous honor that this privilege has now fallen 
to me.
  On February 23, 1846, with his position under siege and outnumbered 
by nearly 10 to 1 by the forces of Mexican dictator Antonio Lopez de 
Santa Anna, Travis penned the following letter, ``To the People of 
Texas and 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 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 three or four thousand in four or five 
     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.

  Signed:

       William Barret Travis.

  As we all know, in the battle that ensued, 189 defenders of the Alamo 
lost their lives. But they did not die in vain. The Battle of the Alamo 
bought precious time for the Texas Revolutionaries, allowing Sam 
Houston to maneuver his army into position for a decisive victory at 
the Battle of San Jacinto. With this victory, Texas became a sovereign 
and independent republic. For 9 years, the Republic of Texas thrived as 
an independent nation. Then, in 1845, it agreed to join the United 
States as the 28th State.
  Many of the Texas patriots who fought in the revolution went on to 
serve in the U.S. Congress. I am honored to hold the seat once occupied 
by Sam Houston. More broadly, I am honored to have the opportunity to 
serve 26 million Texans because of the sacrifices made by these brave 
men 177 years ago.
  May we always remember their sacrifices and their courage. And may 
God continue to bless Texas and these United States.
  Mr. President, I yield the floor and suggest the absence of a quorum.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. Schatz). The clerk will call the roll.
  The legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Mr. COATS. I ask unanimous consent that the order for the quorum call 
be rescinded.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.

                          ____________________