Bill Text: TX HR2244 | 2023-2024 | 88th Legislature | Enrolled
Bill Title: Commemorating the dedication of the Battle of Velasco Memorial Monument.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)
Status: (Passed) 2023-05-30 - Reported enrolled [HR2244 Detail]
Download: Texas-2023-HR2244-Enrolled.html
H.R. No. 2244 |
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WHEREAS, Serving as an important prelude to the Texas | ||
Revolution, the Battle of Velasco was fought from June 25 through | ||
27, 1832, and the site of the engagement is being commemorated with | ||
the dedication of a memorial monument on June 27, 2023; and | ||
WHEREAS, The conflict was perhaps the first incidence of | ||
bloodshed as resistance to Mexican rule intensified in Texas in the | ||
1830s; the battle took place when a group of Texans under the | ||
command of Henry Smith and John Austin traveled to Brazoria to | ||
secure a cannon to use against Mexican forces who had imprisoned | ||
William Travis and others at Anahuac; when they tried to transport | ||
the cannon down the Brazos River, they were opposed by a garrison of | ||
Mexican soldiers led by Colonel Domingo de Ugartechea, commander of | ||
Fort Velasco; and | ||
WHEREAS, An estimated seven Texans and five Mexicans lost | ||
their lives in the fighting, with dozens more wounded on both sides; | ||
ultimately, the Texans forced Colonel Ugartechea to surrender on | ||
June 29, after his troops exhausted their ammunition; and | ||
WHEREAS, While records indicate that veterans of the Battle | ||
of Velasco developed plans to erect a memorial for their fallen | ||
comrades, no evidence for the existence of such a monument has ever | ||
been found; recent imaging of the area has helped identify the exact | ||
location of Fort Velasco, and renewed interest in the battle led to | ||
a collaboration between the Old Fort Velasco Historical | ||
Association, the Old Velasco/Surfside Beach Historical Committee, | ||
the Village of Surfside Beach, Bryson Memorials, and area citizens; | ||
working together, they have succeeded in their mission to establish | ||
a long-overdue tribute to those who served and died in the battle; | ||
and | ||
WHEREAS, Today, 191 years after the Battle of Velasco, the | ||
unveiling of the monument provides an opportunity to reflect on a | ||
pivotal moment in Texas history and on the courageous actions of | ||
those who took up arms to further the cause of Texas independence; | ||
now, therefore, be it | ||
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 88th Texas | ||
Legislature hereby commemorate the dedication of the Battle of | ||
Velasco Memorial Monument and extend sincere appreciation to all | ||
those who helped bring this project to fruition. | ||
Vasut | ||
______________________________ | ||
Speaker of the House | ||
I certify that H.R. No. 2244 was adopted by the House on May | ||
29, 2023, by a non-record vote. | ||
______________________________ | ||
Chief Clerk of the House | ||