H.R. No. 697
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, March 2, 2017, marks the 181st anniversary of the
adoption of the Texas Declaration of Independence, the moment in
1836 when proud Texans proclaimed an independent republic and took
the first steps down a road that would lead, nine years later, to
Texas' joining the Union as the 28th state; and
WHEREAS, The delegates to the Convention of 1836 assembled on
March 1 at Washington-on-the-Brazos, meeting in an unfinished
building in bitterly cold weather; even as they set about forging a
new nation, the defenders of the Alamo were preparing to face the
final assault by the troops of General Antonio López de Santa Anna;
and
WHEREAS, Adopted on March 2, the Declaration of Independence
listed many grievances against the government of Mexico, citing,
among other things, its despotism, violence, and abridgement of
civil liberties; the document concluded by boldly declaring "that
the people of Texas do now constitute a free, Sovereign, and
independent republic, and are fully invested with all the rights
and attributes which properly belong to independent nations"; and
WHEREAS, Five copies of the declaration were immediately
dispatched to Béxar, Goliad, Nacogdoches, Brazoria, and San Felipe,
and another 1,000 copies were distributed as printed handbills; on
March 6, the men of the Alamo made their heroic last stand, and
nearly seven weeks after that, General Sam Houston and his 900
troops, with the cry of "Remember the Alamo!" on their lips,
defeated Santa Anna's army at San Jacinto, bringing an end to
Mexican rule in Texas; and
WHEREAS, One of the pivotal dates in Texas history, March 2
continues to be celebrated annually by Texans across the length and
breadth of the state; on this occasion, Texas Independence Day,
they reflect upon the freedoms they enjoy and honor the courage and
sacrifice of the men and women who, against the odds, brought these
blessings to pass; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 85th Texas
Legislature hereby commemorate Texas Independence Day 2017 and pay
tribute to the memory of those individuals who founded the Republic
of Texas.
Price
______________________________
Speaker of the House
I certify that H.R. No. 697 was adopted by the House on March
16, 2017, by a non-record vote.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House