[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 111 (Thursday, August 11, 1994)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: August 11, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
         TRIBUTE TO BARON VON STEUBEN AND DEDICATED VOLUNTEERS

                                 ______


                       HON. SHERWOOD L. BOEHLERT

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, August 11, 1994

  Mr. BOEHLERT. Mr. Speaker, more than ever before, the people of the 
Mohawk Valley region of central New York are rediscovering their local 
heritage and the amazing contributions their leaders made to secure the 
freedom we enjoy today.
  From the first European settlers to the leaders of the Iroquois 
tribes, this very land was host to among the greatest battles for 
independence as well as significant diplomatic achievements in the 
building of a diverse, multiethnic experiment in democracy.
  Indeed, in this area, Indians and Europeans, from differing religious 
and ethnic backgrounds, struggled together to carve out a life on a 
difficult frontier.
  Baron Frederick von Steuben is such a character from this past. This 
year marks the 200th anniversary of his death, and the people of the 
valley are honoring him and recounting his special achievements as the 
``Drillmaster of the Revolution.''
  The Baron came to America from Prussia. He volunteered for service in 
the Continental Army, only asking to be paid if America won the war. He 
worked his way to the position of George Washington's Chief of Staff. 
There, during the hardship of battle, during the cold of Valley Forge, 
despite the fact that he spoke no English; he managed to write new 
regulations for the Army, by modifying and forging new tactics. In so 
doing, he won the respect and admiration of his men, and transformed 
the Continentals from a disorganized unit into a proud, progressive, 
disciplined, and successful fighting force that won, against all odds, 
its struggle for independence.
  The Baron is only one of many such personalities from the northern 
frontier region who made an extraordinary contribution to liberty. They 
are people who came with different beliefs, from different places, but 
mostly from poverty, seeking opportunity. They relied on hard work, 
faith, help from friendly Indians, and together built a home in the 
wilderness. More than a home, it was a multiethnic democracy, and it 
remains the freest and strongest the world has ever known.
  Such stories are worth telling again and again, from generation to 
generation. It is our duty to remember and honor these achievements and 
pass them along in ways that reach people and touch their hearts. These 
stories are relevant. They're about living and working and surviving 
under the harshest of conditions. This exercise will educate people and 
yield inspiration, hope, and a pathway for a better future--a future in 
which individuals will strive to lead, take charge of their situation 
the way the Baron did, overcome obstacles and hardships, and promote 
decency and civility. In this way, the freedom and democracy that our 
ancestors worked so hard to build may last.
  From July 9 through September 30, the Rome Historical Society, under 
the able direction of Dr. William Forbes, is hosting an exhibit on the 
Baron and his work, brilliantly prepared by Curator Barbara Schafer. 
The exhibit features artifacts donated by West Point and the State of 
New York.
  On July 30 and 31, the town of Steuben, NY, hosted an 18th century 
military encampment in its namesake's honor, and will also host a 
Steuben Society National Convention in the last weekend of August on 
the grounds of the Baron's home.
  The Steuben Memorial State Historic Site is owned by the State of New 
York, but has been closed since 1991. Luckily, the area's volunteers 
have worked together to manage and care for the site. Many dedicated 
people contribute to this cause, among them: Maynard Anken of Remsen, 
Chris Anken of Remsen, Ruth Dean of Remsen, Bunny Doolittle of 
Barneveld, Jimmie Doolittle of Barneveld, Alex Dubinsky of Remsen, 
Sophie Dubinsky of Remsen, Eva Ebert of Remsen, James Ebert of Remsen, 
William Gerrard of Holland Patent, Margaret Gerrard of Holland Patent, 
Lucille Gorres of Remsen, Jane Harris of Remsen, Susan Heuser of 
Remsen, Ellen Huey of Remsen, Lorena Jersen of Remsen, Maj. Edward 
Jones of Remsen, Mary Helen Jones of Remsen, Russell Kaufman of Remsen, 
Richard Kaufman of Remsen, Hobart Kraeger of Holland Patent, Jean 
Kraeger of Holland Patent, Harry Landman of Remsen, Francis T. Martin, 
Jr., of Remsen, Jennifer Ann McCune of Holland Patent, Theresa Merritt 
of Remsen, Kathy Peterson of Remsen, David Peterson of Remsen, Jane 
Piatkowski of Remsen, Lorraine Post of Frankfort, John Pratt of 
Hinckley, Howard Prevost of Hinckley, Jeanne Prevost of Hinckley, Jim 
Roberts of Holland Patent, Lucinda Roberts of Remsen, A. William 
Roberts of Remsen, Carol Setter of Remsen, Ellye Slusarczyk of 
Prospect, Stanley Slusarczyk of Prospect, Kathy Snell of Utica, Dorothy 
Squire of Remsen, Nancy Squire of Remsen, Cyril Tatham of Remsen, Alice 
Thomas of Remsen, James Ure of Barneveld, Norma Ure of Barneveld, Joan 
Villeneuve of Remsen, Emogene Walter of Remsen, Brian Walter of Remsen, 
Barbara Ward of Remsen, Faith Williams of Remsen, Leonard Wynne of 
Remsen, Dorothy Wynne of Remsen, and Rose Marie Zimmer of Westernville.

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