[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 159 (2013), Part 2]
[House]
[Page 2516]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




      THE FALL OF THE ALAMO AND COLONEL TRAVIS' LAST PLEA FOR HELP

  (Mr. OLSON asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. OLSON. Mr. Speaker, 177 years ago on this day, the Alamo fell. 
Every Texan fighting for liberty was killed.
  I would like to read parts of the letter sent by the Alamo's 
commander pleading for help:

       To the people of Texas and all Americans in the world, I am 
     besieged by 1,000 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 that demand with a cannon shot.
       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.

  Remember the Alamo, and God bless the republic of Texas.

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