Randy Weber: “I want to celebrate in advance Texas Independence Day on March 2, 1836. They say everything is better in Texas. Let me…”

“I want to celebrate in advance Texas Independence Day on March 2, 1836. They say everything is better in Texas. Let me just tell you, I am here to confirm that that rumor is true. More correctly, it is no longer a rumor. We have a saying in Texas, and that goes like this: It ain't bragging if it's facts, and that's the facts about Texas. Mr. Speaker, I am glad to be joined by my good Texas friends from both sides of the aisle to celebrate Texas Independence Day. On March 2, 1836, that was the day the Republic of Texas was born. During the Texas Revolution, a convention of 59 Texans met at Washington-on-the-Brazos and declared our independence of Texas from Mexico. The declaration decried the arbitrary acts of oppression and tyranny from the Mexican Government under the dictator General Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna. In particular, it noted that the government had ``ceased to protect the lives, liberty, and property of the people from whom its legitimate powers are derived.'' The Texans signing that declaration sought to protect our rights of free speech, our rights to keep and bear arms--sounds familiar--and our rights of freedom of religion. I am proud to report these same freedoms still hold true in Texas today. March 2 is a day that all Texans come together and celebrate the calls of ``Come and Take It'' and ``Remember the Alamo.'' We remember and honor the pioneering, independent, trailblazing spirit of the great State of Texas.…”