Bill Text: TX HR377 | 2013-2014 | 83rd Legislature | Enrolled
Bill Title: Recognizing the 100th anniversary of the reinterment of Joanna Troutman, "The Betsy Ross of Texas," in 2013.
Sponsorship: Partisan Bill (Republican 1)
Status: (Passed) 2013-03-11 - Reported enrolled [HR377 Detail]
Download: Texas-2013-HR377-Enrolled.html
| H.R. No. 377 | ||
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| WHEREAS, Members and supporters of the Joanna Troutman | ||
| Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution are gathering | ||
| at the Texas State Cemetery on February 26, 2013, to mark the 100th | ||
| anniversary of the reinterment of their organization's namesake; | ||
| and | ||
| WHEREAS, Born on February 19, 1818, in Crawford County, | ||
| Georgia, Joanna Troutman was 17 years old when a battalion of | ||
| volunteers from her home state responded to an appeal from Texas for | ||
| support in its struggle against the Mexican Republic; inspired by | ||
| the Texas cause, she designed and sewed a flag consisting of an | ||
| embroidered blue star on a field of white silk; below the | ||
| five-pointed star were the words "LIBERTY OR DEATH" and the reverse | ||
| of the banner bore the Latin motto "UBI LIBERTAS HABITAT, IBI NOSTRA | ||
| PATRIA EST," or "where liberty dwells, there is our country"; and | ||
| WHEREAS, The Georgia battalion carried Ms. Troutman's flag | ||
| with them when they entered Texas in December 1835, and this symbol | ||
| of Texas' lone struggle against tyranny was unfurled at Velasco on | ||
| January 8, 1836, above the American Hotel; James W. Fannin, Jr., | ||
| flew it as the national flag over the walls of Goliad when he heard | ||
| of the Texas Declaration of Independence on March 8, 1836; the flag | ||
| was torn, but its remnants witnessed the infamous Goliad Massacre | ||
| that soon followed; and | ||
| WHEREAS, In 1839, Ms. Troutman married S. L. Pope and the | ||
| couple moved to Elmwood, a prosperous plantation near Knoxville, | ||
| Georgia; after Mr. Pope's passing in 1872, she married state | ||
| legislator W. G. Vinson; although she died in 1879, Ms. Troutman | ||
| lived long enough to witness Texas prosper as an independent nation | ||
| and as a strong member of the United States; in 1913, Texas governor | ||
| Oscar B. Colquitt secured permission to have her remains moved from | ||
| Georgia to Texas for interment in the State Cemetery in Austin, | ||
| where a bronze statue and historical marker continue to honor her | ||
| today; and | ||
| WHEREAS, Joanna Troutman truly exemplified and defined the | ||
| spirit of the Lone Star State, | ||
| and her memory holds a cherished | ||
| place in the hearts of all Texans; now, therefore, be it | ||
| RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 83rd Texas | ||
| Legislature hereby recognize the 100th anniversary of Joanna | ||
| Troutman's reinterment and extend to all those involved with the | ||
| event sincere best wishes for a successful and memorable ceremony; | ||
| and, be it further | ||
| RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be | ||
| prepared for the Joanna Troutman Chapter of the Daughters of the | ||
| American Revolution as an expression of high regard by the Texas | ||
| House of Representatives. | ||
| Bell | ||
| ______________________________ | ||
| Speaker of the House | ||
| I certify that H.R. No. 377 was adopted by the House on | ||
| February 28, 2013, by a non-record vote. | ||
| ______________________________ | ||
| Chief Clerk of the House | ||
