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CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
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WHEREAS, March 2, 2026, will mark the 190th anniversary of |
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the establishment of the Republic of Texas; and |
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WHEREAS, On March 1, 1836, amid mounting tensions with |
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Mexico, delegates from across Texas convened in the new town of |
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Washington; the president of the convention, Richard Ellis, |
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appointed a committee to draft a declaration of independence; |
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George Childress, the chair of the committee, is generally believed |
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to have drafted the document, quite possibly even before his |
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arrival; the U.S. Declaration of Independence served as its model; |
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and |
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WHEREAS, While conducting their work, the delegates received |
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regular reports from San Antonio, where Mexican General Antonio |
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López de Santa Anna's troops were laying siege to the Alamo; the |
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convention considered the 12-page declaration of independence on |
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March 2, and the motion to adopt was made by Sam Houston; and |
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WHEREAS, The delegates also approved a constitution for the |
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new Republic of Texas; in addition, they elected an interim |
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government led by David G. Burnet as president, with Lorenzo de |
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Zavala as vice president, Samuel P. Carson as secretary of state, |
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Thomas J. Rusk as secretary of war, Robert Potter as secretary of |
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the navy, Bailey Hardeman as secretary of the treasury, and David |
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Thomas as attorney general; and |
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WHEREAS, On March 15, the terrible news of the fall of the |
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Alamo reached the convention; two days later, delegates learned |
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that the Mexican army had advanced within 60 miles of Washington, |
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and they adjourned in great haste; just over a month later, though, |
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the Texans would win the Battle of San Jacinto, and the independence |
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of the Republic of Texas was truly secured; and |
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WHEREAS, The love of freedom is the founding principle of the |
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Lone Star State, and the signing of the Texas Declaration of |
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Independence on March 2, 1836, marked a turning point in a |
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fascinating history that continues to inspire people across the |
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country and around the world; 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 establishment of |
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the Republic of Texas. |