Ladies and Gentlemen, Administration, Teachers, Students and fellow Texans: Please join me in applauding the following listed students on their award winning essays on Col. Juan N. Seguin.
Renee Crozier David Haug Stacy TenbergThe Seguin Family is honored that the DRT sponsored this essay writng contest and appreciates the participation of the GISD and grateful to their teacher Mrs. Jo Ann Richardson.
In the early days of Texas, and during the period that Texas was a Republic, Erasmo Seguin and his Son Juan N. Seguin were great advocates of public education. The Colonels father Erasmo Seguin donated money and a small building to be used as a public classroom.
When Juan Seguin was a very young man, he and his mother taught the childred in their area to read, write and count. I guess you could say that they had started their own "HOST" program even back then in the early days.
The family always knew the importance of learning and having an education because they realized that nothing ever remains the same. Texas then and as it is today, is ever changing and they knew that it was through being educated and informed that they would survive and see Texas grow and prosper.
As Juan Seguin once told his grandchildren, " yes we lost all of our lands and most of our material things, but one thing no one could ever take away from any of us was the knowledge in our minds, hearts and souls".
When Col. Juan Seguin was a representative of the Republic of Texas, he introduced a bill in the Texas State Senate that required laws to be written in both English and in Spanish.
He felt strongly that all Texans should be aware of not only their legal rights as Texans, but equally important, their legal obligations and responsibilities as Citizens of The Republic of Texas.
Education was of great importance to our forefathers, and it is in this spirit, that my family applaudes the efforts of these young Texans.
It is very much appreciated that the DRT, these young folks and their teacher are so willing to research and learn more of a native born Texan, such as Juan Seguin, that was so instrumental in helping to mold Texas into what it is today,
