[Congressional Bills 109th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.J. Res. 44 Introduced in House (IH)]






109th CONGRESS
  1st Session
H. J. RES. 44

Honoring the life and legacy of Frederick William Augustus von Steuben 
   and recognizing his contributions on the 275th anniversary of his 
                                 birth.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                             April 26, 2005

  Mr. Schwarz of Michigan (for himself, Ms. Watson, Mr. McCotter, Mr. 
 Forbes, Mr. McHugh, Mr. Davis of Kentucky, Mr. Larsen of Washington, 
     and Mr. Brady of Pennsylvania) introduced the following joint 
  resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Government Reform

_______________________________________________________________________

                            JOINT RESOLUTION


 
Honoring the life and legacy of Frederick William Augustus von Steuben 
   and recognizing his contributions on the 275th anniversary of his 
                                 birth.

Whereas Frederick William Augustus von Steuben, popularly known as Baron von 
        Steuben, was born on September 17, 1730;
Whereas Baron von Steuben, an experienced soldier in the Prussian army, offered 
        his services in support of the American Revolution ``to deserve the 
        title of a citizen of America, by fighting for your liberty'';
Whereas Baron von Steuben joined General George Washington at Valley Forge in 
        February 1778 where his leadership in drilling and training the soldiers 
        is credited with helping to hold together the American Army and 
        transform it into a more effective and disciplined fighting force;
Whereas on May 5, 1778, the Continental Congress appointed Baron von Steuben to 
        the office of Inspector General with the rank of Major General;
Whereas, as Inspector General, Baron von Steuben wrote ``Regulations for the 
        Order and Discipline of the Troops of the United States'' (the Blue 
        Book), which served as the basis for Army regulations for thirty years;
Whereas Baron von Steuben's services were indispensable to the achievement of 
        American independence, after which he became an American citizen;
Whereas, in honor of his contributions to the armed forces of the United States, 
        one of the first nuclear powered ballistic missile submarines in the 
        United States Navy was commissioned the U.S.S. Von Steuben (SSBN 632);
Whereas Baron von Steuben's legacy of promoting integrity, efficiency, training, 
        discipline, and accountability in the United States military has earned 
        him the title ``Father of the Inspector General System'' and served as a 
        basis for the system of inspectors general established by Congress for 
        agencies of the United States Government;
Whereas President William Howard Taft, at the dedication of the monument to 
        Baron von Steuben in Lafayette Park, Washington, DC, on December 7, 
        1910, paid tribute to the contributions of German Americans who ``played 
        so prominent a part in the great growth and development of our 
        country'';
Whereas the Congress of the United States authorized that a duplicate monument 
        be presented as a gift by the people of the United States, and that, 
        during the dedication on September 2, 1911, in Potsdam, Germany, the 
        American envoy, Congressman Richard Bartholdt, presented that statue as 
        ``a token of the sincere friendship of the American Government and 
        people for . . . the people of Germany''; and
Whereas Baron von Steuben remains an enduring symbol of German-American 
        friendship: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United 
States of America in Congress assembled, That the Congress, on behalf 
of the American people, honors the life and legacy of Frederick William 
Augustus von Steuben and recognizes his contributions on the 275th 
anniversary of the date of his birth.
                                 <all>