SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 339
WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas is pleased to
join Texans across the state in celebrating the 181st anniversary
of the adoption of the Texas Declaration of Independence on
March 2, 2017; and
WHEREAS, After several years of rising tensions between
the people of Texas and the government of Mexico, a convention of
delegates from communities across Texas was called to gather in
the town of Washington on March 1, 1836; and
WHEREAS, On the first day of the convention, George
C. Childress introduced a resolution calling for the drafting of
a declaration of independence from Mexico; the measure was
approved, and Mr. Childress was named chair of the drafting
committee; the next day, the committee produced a document
patterned on the United States Declaration of Independence, and
it was unanimously adopted less than one hour after its initial
reading; and
WHEREAS, The convention went on to name Sam Houston as
commanding general of the Texas army, adopt a constitution for
the Republic of Texas, and elect an interim government; chosen to
serve in the new government were David G. Burnet, president,
Lorenzo de Zavala, vice president, Samuel P. Carson, secretary of
state, Thomas J. Rusk, secretary of war, Robert Potter, secretary
of the navy, Bailey Hardeman, secretary of the treasury, and
David Thomas, attorney general; and
WHEREAS, On March 15, news reached the convention of the
falloftheAlamo,andtwodayslater, reportsthattheMexican
army was within 60 miles of Washington caused the convention to
adjourn; this setback was reversed less than a month later when
the Mexican army was routed at the Battle of San Jacinto and Texas
independence became a reality; and
WHEREAS, Texas remained an independent republic until
December 29, 1845, when it entered the United States as the 28th
state; its time as an independent nation constitutes a remarkable
period in the state's history and continues to engender a sense
of pride and identity among its citizens; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 85th
Legislature, hereby commemorate the 181st anniversary of the
adoption of the Texas Declaration of Independence and extend to
Texans everywhere best wishes for a memorable Texas Independence
Day; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared in
honor of this special occasion.
Creighton
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President of the Senate
I hereby certify that the
above Resolution was adopted by
the Senate on March 1, 2017.
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Secretary of the Senate
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Member, Texas Senate