Ted Poe: “in the rainy season in central Texas at a place called Washington on the Brazos, Texas decided they had had enough of…”

“in the rainy season in central Texas at a place called Washington on the Brazos, Texas decided they had had enough of the new dictator of Mexico and declared themselves to be a free nation on March 2, 1836. Spain had control of what is Texas and Mexico for centuries. Mexico revolted and set up a constitutional government in 1824. But in 1825, Santa Anna, the Saddam Hussein of the 19th century, became dictator of Mexico and used military force to subject all of Mexico, including Texas. Hispanic and Anglo Texans resisted, and wanting a return to constitutional government declared independence, stating that Santa Anna had forced a new government upon them at the point of a bayonet. Santa Anna massacred freedom fighters at Goliad and the Alamo, but independence was gained at the swampy marshes at the Battle of San Jacinto, when Sam Houston and his boys routed and defeated the invaders. Texas was an independent nation for 9 years. Some say we are still an independent nation. Then later Texas joined the Union. And, Madam Speaker, the rest, they say, is Texas history. And that's just the way it is.”