[Page H7647]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     THE LOUISIANA-TEXAS CONNECTION

  (Mr. POE asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute.)
  Mr. POE. Mr. Speaker, in 1836 Texans were in desperate need and 
fighting for freedom and independence from Mexico. Hundreds of men from 
Louisiana joined to help Texas in this struggle and time of need. Among 
them were Jim Bowie, hero of the Alamo; and volunteer soldiers forming 
a unit known as the New Orleans Greys helped in this endeavor. These 
brave men came to Texas' aid to fight against the oppression of the 
dictator Santa Anna. They fought and died at the Alamo, Goliad and San 
Jacinto.
  Today, 170 years later, it is the people of Louisiana who are in 
desperate need in their struggle against the oppression caused by 
Hurricane Katrina. There are approximately 200,000 people from 
Louisiana now in Texas because of Katrina.
  Mr. Speaker, just as the people of Louisiana came to Texas' aid those 
many years ago, so will Texans come to theirs. We along with other 
Americans will join the people of Louisiana until they are able to be 
free from the effects of Hurricane Katrina and rebuild their great city 
of New Orleans. It is what good Americans, good neighbors, good 
Southerners, and good Texans do.

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