TITLE: Recognizing the 181st anniversary of the adoption of the Texas Declaration of Independence.

SUMMARY: Recognizing the 181st anniversary of the adoption of the Texas Declaration of Independence.

FULL TEXT:
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 President of the Senate I hereby certify that the above Resolution was adopted by the Senate on March 1, 2017.