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CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
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WHEREAS, October 2, 2025, will mark the 190th anniversary of |
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the Battle of Gonzales; and |
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WHEREAS, A pivotal moment in the history of Texas, the Battle |
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of Gonzales was the culmination of discord between the increasingly |
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repressive government of Mexico and Texas colonists accustomed to |
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semi-autonomy; Mexican president Antonio López de Santa Anna, |
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elected in 1833, began to abandon federalism and consolidate power |
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in Mexico City, abolishing Mexico's Constitution of 1824 and |
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merging Texas with a neighboring state to form the state of Coahuila |
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y Texas; and |
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WHEREAS, Tensions escalated in Gonzales in early October |
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1835, when the Mexican Army arrived to reclaim a cannon that had |
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been loaned to the town for its protection; citizens refused to give |
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up the cannon, citing the Constitution of 1824, and on October 2, |
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Mexican troops and the Gonzales colonists met on the field of |
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battle; and |
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WHEREAS, The Texans fired upon the Mexican troops, who |
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retreated; attempts to reach a diplomatic solution then foundered, |
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and the fighting continued until the Mexican Army retreated again, |
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returning to San Antonio without the cannon; now determined to rout |
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the enemy, the victorious Texan force increased its numbers and |
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pursued the Mexican troops; under the command of Stephen F. Austin, |
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the Texans laid siege to Mexican-occupied San Antonio, and the war |
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for independence was truly underway; and |
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WHEREAS, The Battle of Gonzales signaled the start of the |
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Texas Revolution, and the courage and resolve demonstrated by the |
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Texans in this conflict is a lasting source of inspiration to all |
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who abhor tyranny; now, therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the 89th Legislature of the State of Texas |
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hereby commemorate the 190th anniversary of the Battle of Gonzales. |