Independent Yet Interconnected: Texas - U.S. History Spotlighted as House Passes Bipartisan Doggett Texas Legation Bill

Press Release

Just now, the House of Representatives passed U.S. Representative Lloyd Doggett's (D-TX) bipartisan Republic of Texas Legation Memorial Act (H.R. 3349) to pave the way for a commemoration of the Texas Legation in Washington, D.C., marking in our capital the chapter of Texas history when it was an independent nation. Ahead of House passage, Rep. Doggett took to the House floor to speak about his bill. This legislation will authorize the Daughters of the Republic of Texas to establish the Republic of Texas Legation Memorial as a commemorative work in the District of Columbia. The National Capital Memorial Advisory Commission approved the proposal in February, describing the effort as a "unique, untold story [that] would enrich and diversify the portfolio of commemorative works in Washington." It was then approved unanimously by the House Natural Resources Committee in March.

"The history of the Texas Legation and its significance to American history is as broad as the pride held by present-day Texans over the days of their once-independent Republic. The district I represent includes the historic Alamo in San Antonio," said Congressman Doggett. "With the battle cries of "Remember the Alamo,' and "Remember Goliad,' Texas eventually won its independence on March 2, 1836. And, as most Texans know, for almost a decade thereafter Texas was an independent nation--and that independent spirit of the State continues."

"My own home in East Austin is only a few blocks from the historic French Legation, where diplomats resided when the nation of France maintained formal diplomatic relations with the nation of the Republic of Texas," he continued. "Texans in turn established legations abroad, which negotiated terms of trade and recognition with multiple European countries. Most importantly, a Texas delegation was sent on the very long and difficult journey from Texas to Washington, D.C."

"Today, we find plaques about the Texas Legation in London and Paris, but there is not yet one here in Washington, where the Legation's work had the most profound effect," shared the Congressman. "The history of the Texas Legation did not end with the annexation of Texas in 1845. Today, it lives on through the strength of the multicultural and multilingual communities that make our Lone Star State so dynamic. With this commemoration, those who visit our Nation's capital will have the opportunity to learn about this turning point in our Nation's history."

Floor Speech

H.R. 3349 - Republic of Texas Legation Memorial Act

I rise in support of this bill, which I authored to authorize the Daughters of the Republic of Texas to establish a commemorative work in the District of Columbia honoring the Republic of Texas Legation. This bipartisan effort is supported by a number of my Texas colleagues, as well as Rep. Eleanor Homes Norton, who represents the area where the memorial would reside.

The history of the Texas Legation and its significance to American history is as broad as the pride held by present-day Texans over the days of their once-independent Republic. The district I represent includes the historic Alamo in San Antonio. With the battle cries of "Remember the Alamo," and "Remember Goliad," Texas eventually won its independence on March 2, 1836. And as most Texans know, for almost a decade thereafter, Texas was an independent nation--and that independent spirit of the State continues.

What are less frequently discussed are the diplomatic efforts made by this new nation, sending emissaries to London, Paris, and Washington. At multiple times from 1836 to 1845, the Texas Legation negotiated regarding the terms by which Texas could become a part of the United States. While everything is still bigger in Texas, the territory of the Republic of Texas, as an independent nation, was even bigger, encompassing not only all of what is now the state of Texas, but also parts of New Mexico, Oklahoma, Kansas, Colorado, and even Wyoming. How different America would be today had not the Legation, after almost a decade of difficult negotiations, been successful in assuring that so much of our country became a vital part of these United States.

The young Republic of Texas had many debts and challenges from abroad. My own home in East Austin is only a few blocks from the historic French Legation, where diplomats resided when the nation of France maintained formal diplomatic relations with the nation of the Republic of Texas. Texans in turn established legations abroad, which negotiated terms of trade and recognition with multiple European countries. Most importantly, a Texas delegation was sent on the very long and difficult journey from Texas to Washington, D.C. Today, we find plaques about the Texas Legation in London and Paris, but there is not yet one here in Washington, where the Legation's work had the most profound effect.

Here in Washington D.C. the Texas Legation operated out of a number of boarding houses, some near the present-day National Archives and the Navy Memorial--which is appropriate as one of the diplomats at that time was Mr. Memucan Hunt, who was also Secretary of the fledgling Republic of Texas Navy.

In Washington, the diplomats left their most significant legacy by negotiating the terms of the annexation of Texas in 1845 when Texas became the 28th state to join the Union. That is why this bill approves a commemoration here.

Most appropriately, this commemoration will be spearheaded by the Daughters of the Republic of Texas, which is our State's oldest, patriotic women's organization, committed to the preservation of Texas heritage and historic sites. They will work together with the National Parks Service to develop a design and location for the work at a location within Washington, D.C approved by the Parks Service. I would like to extend a special thanks to Kitty Hoeck, Historian of the Elisabet Ney Chapter, representing D.C., Virginia and Maryland, of the Daughters of the Republic for her commitment to this effort.

The history of the Texas Legation did not end with the annexation of Texas in 1845. Today, it lives on through the strength of the multicultural and multilingual communities that make our Lone Star State so dynamic. With this commemoration, those who visit our Nation's capital will have the opportunity to learn about this turning point in our Nation's history and reflect on the sacrifices made by the diplomats who made it possible. I urge approval of the resolution.

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