Ted Poe: “There were 56 of them. They pledged their lives, their fortunes, their sacred honor in the signing of the document that…”

“There were 56 of them. They pledged their lives, their fortunes, their sacred honor in the signing of the document that proclaimed that all people are endowed by their Creator with certain, absolute rights--life, liberty, the pursuit of happiness--and governments are instituted to preserve those rights. It was Philadelphia. It was July 4, 1776. It was the Declaration of Independence. Then, after 8 years of war, this ``rabble,'' as the British called the colonists, defeated King George III. We went our own way. ``Independence''--I like the sound of that word. It means that we the people have rule over government, and government will be our servant rather than our being government's serf. Liberty, freedom, independence. These three noble words are a reality in this, the greatest of all nations. As a Son of the American Revolution, I thank the patriots who gave us independence. So, Mr. Speaker, next week on this special day, fly the flag, listen to the band play ``Stars and Stripes Forever,'' and thank the good Lord for shedding His grace on the United States of America. And that's just the way it is. ____________________”