i mentioned and talked about the san jacinto bay not so much because it's really san jacinto bay but about the people who were there 179 years ago. i mentioned, they were all types of folks. but they are similar to our ancestors in the sole anyal days who said no. they weren't going to tolerate. we still have oppression throughout the world that governments military dick dateors oppressing their people. they would like to be free and independent, but they're not. and those folks back in 1836 made a decision that it was more important to them to be free than it was to be safe, secure, in their own personal life. so they were willing to give their lives for freedom. it's not a trite statement. we have had people from all over the united states that have done that, have fought for america, for freedom and for other people to sacrifice their lives so other people can enjoy that word that most people have never enjoyed, freedom and liberty. and when a dictator shows up, some people have the ability to step up and say, we aren't going to take it. i will give up my life so there can be a fr

two of them called the twin sisters came and were involved until the decisive battle of san jacinto which saw the texans win their independence from mexico. well, this inscription says "general sam houston, from your cinci friends." an abbreviation for cincinnati. and the date of texas independence, 1836. >> what i would like for people to take away when they visit here sr. a little piece of history. so many people come here with a connection to galveston looking for a piece of family history or connection. we play a very important role for galveston. we're the keeper of the history here. >>> with the explosion in the growing price of cotton, the galveston became a wealthy city and the only way the wealth could leave here was on the decks of sailing ships, to elisa has a key role and vital role in telling the economic story of galveston. >> stay down the stay sail. >> topsail. >> eliss was built 1877 in aberdeen, scotland, a riveted iron hull and she's classified as a bark. she has three masts four on the main mast and on the ms.en she carries a fore and aft sail. she was a merchant ship,

san jacinto day is based upon texas' history that occurred on april 21, 1836 179 years ago. that was the day that the battle of san gentleman jint -- gentleman -- san -- san jacinto took place. near the gulf of mexico. in a place that we now call harrisburg. which is near houston, texas. and it was a battle that was successful for liberty and freedom for people who lived in texas. san jacinto day the battle of san jacinto, was won by sam houston and defeated the invading mexican army led by santa anafment i'll get back to that in a moment. i think it's important, though, we have a little history lesson so we understand why this battle for freedom is so important to all people who believe in freedom. texas, mr. speaker, was wanted by a lot of folks. the french claim texas, of course the could marchy, -- comanches, apaches and a lot of other american native tribes wanted texas. but spain controlled texas for a great number of years. from 1690 to about 1821. texas, as we know it, was part of spain. in fact, we still have spanish land grants in texas where people own land that th

this is the san jacinto day. this is the official state holiday that honors texas independence where 910 soldiers led by general sam houston won the decisive battle of the texas revolution. so it's not the battle of the alamo that gave texas its independence. that's the one that people perhaps remember the most. maybe because it's the movies and books that have been written about that. actually the battle of the alamo didn't turn out too well. virtually everybody was killed, but it gave rise to the opportunity for these 910 men led by general sam houston on san jacinto day to win the decisive battle of the texas revolution. now almost 180 years later i think it's only appropriate and fitting that we recognize their bravery and their sacrifices in pursuit of our dream of freedom. but on the subject of the justice for victims of trafficking act this has been a strange experience starting as we did on something that passed unanimously in the judiciary committee. 30 cosponsors on a bipartisan basis, and all of a sudd

but it gave rise to the opportunity for these 910 men led by general sam houston on san jacinto day to win the decisive battle of the texas revolution. and now almost 180 years later, i think it's only appropriate and fitting that we recognize the bravery and their sacrifices on in pursuit of our dream of freedom. but on the subject of the justice for victims of trafficking act, this has been a strange experience, starting as we did on something that passed unanimously in the judiciary committee. 30 cosponsors on a bipartisan basis, and all of a sudden to have this legislation stuck here in the united states senate. and i won't relitigate the reasons for that because frankly, i think we have now found a way forward for this legislation. as the majority leader, senator mcconnell, and the democratic leader, senator reid, announced in this morning. it's going to take a little bit more work by this senate. there are perhaps a handful of amendments that we'll have an opportunity to vote on. although i know it is -- the desire by everyone is for us to finish this trafficking bill as soon as