Bill Text: MS SC623 | 2012 | Regular Session | Enrolled
Bill Title: Supporting the presentation of a plaque in memory of the native Mississippians who fought and died defending the Alamo on March 6, 1836.
Spectrum: Moderate Partisan Bill (Republican 7-2)
Status: (Passed) 2012-03-22 - Enrolled Bill Signed [SC623 Detail]
Download: Mississippi-2012-SC623-Enrolled.html
MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2012 Regular Session
To: Rules
By: Senator(s) McDaniel, Burton, Butler (38th), Clarke, Kirby, Lee, Moran, Stone, Watson
Senate Concurrent Resolution 623
(As Adopted by Senate and House)
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND SUPPORTING THE PRESENTATION OF A PLAQUE FROM THE PEOPLE OF MISSISSIPPI IN MEMORY OF THE NATIVE MISSISSIPPIANS WHO FOUGHT AND DIED DEFENDING THE ALAMO ON MARCH 6, 1836.
WHEREAS, while the facts surrounding the siege of the Alamo continue to be debated, there is no doubt about what the battle has come to symbolize. People worldwide continue to "Remember the Alamo" as a heroic struggle against impossible odds, a place where men made the ultimate sacrifice for freedom. For this reason, the Alamo remains hallowed ground and the Shrine of Texas Liberty; and
WHEREAS, the death of the Alamo Defenders has come to symbolize courage and sacrifice for the cause of liberty. The memories of James Bowie, David Crockett, and William B. Travis are as powerful today as when the Texan Army under Sam Houston shouted, "Remember the Alamo!"; and
WHEREAS, the following men either were born in or lived in Mississippi. They all died on March 6, 1836, in the Battle of the Alamo:
ˇ M.B. Clark: Born in Mississippi; accompanied James Bowie to the Alamo;
ˇ William Phillip King: Born October 8, 1820, in Monroe County, Mississippi; at age 16 was the youngest defender; killed in the Battle of the Alamo; King County, Texas, named after him;
ˇ William Mills: Lived in Adamsville, Mississippi;
ˇ Isaac Millsaps: Lived in Pike County, Mississippi; member of the Gonzales Mounted Rangers, also known as the "Immortal 32." The "Immortal 32" was a group of 32 men from Gonzales, who voluntarily answered Commander William Barrett Travis' call to help defend the Alamo;
ˇ Willis Moore: Resident of Mississippi; fought in the Siege of Bexar;
ˇ George Pagan: From Natchez, Mississippi; fought in the Siege of Bexar;
ˇ Christopher Adams Parker: Lived in Natchez, Mississippi; his grandfather served under George Washington at Valley Forge;
ˇ Richardson Perry: Born in Hancock County, Mississippi; fought in the Siege of Bexar; and
WHEREAS, originally named Misión San Antonio de Valero, the Alamo had originally served as home to missionaries and their Indian coverts for nearly 70 years. San Antonio and the Alamo played a critical role in the Texas Revolution. The victorious Texas volunteers occupied the Alamo, already fortified prior to the battle and strengthened its defenses. On February 23, 1836, the arrival of General Antonio López de Santa Anna's Army outside San Antonio caught them by surprise. As the defenders saw it, the Alamo was the key to the defense of Texas, and they were ready to give their lives rather than surrender their position to General Santa Anna. The final assault came before daybreak on the morning of March 6, 1836, as columns of Mexican soldiers emerged from the predawn darkness and headed for the Alamo's walls. Cannon and small arms fire from inside the Alamo beat back several attacks. Regrouping, the Mexicans scaled the walls and rushed into the compound. Once inside, they turned a captured cannon on the Long Barrack and Church, blasting open the barricaded doors. The desperate struggle continued until the defenders were overwhelmed. By sunrise, the battle had ended and Santa Anna entered the Alamo compound to survey the scene of his victory; and
WHEREAS, wording on the plaque that will be presented to the Alamo: "From the people of Mississippi, in memory of the native Mississippians, and the many others, that gave their lives defending the Alamo on March 6, 1836." It is appropriate to commemorate this famous event by presentation of a plaque:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby commend and support the presentation of a plaque from the people of Mississippi in memory of the native Mississippians who fought and died defending the Alamo on March 6, 1836.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be transmitted with the appropriate plaque to the following: Managers of the Alamo; Daughters of the Texas Republic; Committee Chairman, Mrs. Melinda Navarro; Historian and Curator, Dr. Richard Bruce Winders; Museum Educator, Sherri Driscoll; Director of Administration, Michael Dutton; and forwarded to the Board of Trustees of Mississippi Department of Archives and History, and made available to the Capitol Press Corps.
