SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 137
WHEREAS, William Barrett Travis, commander of the Texan
rebels at the Alamo, wrote a letter on February 24, 1836, asking
for immediate help to come to the aid of his forces, which were
under siege by Mexican troops under General Santa Anna; and
WHEREAS, Addressed to all Americans in the world, the
letter told of answering the Mexicans' demand for surrender with
cannon fire and stated that Texan forces would never surrender or
retreat; it came to be known as the Victory or Death letter from
the way Colonel Travis concluded it: "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"; and
WHEREAS, The eloquence and courage of this dispatch played
a vital role in transforming the Texas Revolution into an
American fight for liberty against tyranny; and
WHEREAS, The Victory or Death letter has not returned to
the Alamo since it was carried out by horseback under cover of
darkness in 1836; under the leadership of Texas Land Commissioner
Jerry Patterson and the Texas State Library and Archives
Commission, the letter will be brought back to the Alamo for
public display February 23 through March 7, 2013; and
WHEREAS, The Victory or Death letter is an invaluable
reminder of the cost of freedom, and it is truly fitting that it
be returned to its place of origin so that all people can better
appreciate its impact on the foundations of Texas freedom; now,
therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas,
83rd Legislature, hereby commend all those who have played a part
in returning the Victory or Death letter to the Alamo; and, be it
further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared in
honor of this historic occasion.
Van de Putte
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President of the Senate
I hereby certify that the
above Resolution was adopted by
the Senate on February 6, 2013.
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Secretary of the Senate
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Member, Texas Senate