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