[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 21 (Tuesday, February 20, 1996)]
[Senate]
[Page S1279]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      THE BLACK REVOLUTIONARY WAR PATRIOTS COMMEMORATIVE COIN ACT

 Mr. FAIRCLOTH. Mr. President, I wish to express my support for 
S. 953, the Black Revolutionary War Patriots Commemorative Coin Act. 
The coin will be minted to assist the effort to build a national 
memorial to these often overlooked soldiers in our War for 
Independence. Tax dollars will not be used to build this memorial, and, 
consequently, its construction will be funded from the proceeds of the 
sales of this coin.
  Their stories are tales of sacrifice and valor in battle, and, 
although the names of these patriots are not found in most textbooks, 
these soldiers fought for their young nation in some of the great 
engagements of the Revolutionary War. Record Primes, for example, 
compiled a long record and fought in some of the most storied battles 
of the War. He served in Colonel Williams' North Carolina regiment at 
the battles of Camden and Kings Mountain in 1780 and Guilford Court 
House, Yorktown, Eutaw Springs, and Cowpens in 1781.
  There are others, courageous black North Carolinians such as Joel 
Taburn, who battled the British under Colonels Archibald Lytle and 
Hardy Murfree in their North Carolina regiment. He fought at the siege 
of Charleston in 1780 and at Eutaw Springs in 1781. For example, 
William Steward, who had signed on with Col. John Patten's North 
Carolina regiment, saw action at Monmouth. Isaac Perkins, William 
Taburn, and Dempsey Stewart also fought for North Carolina regiments, 
and, Mr. President, these are the soldiers whom the memorial will 
honor.
  These men volunteered for duty--they were not compelled to serve--and 
this memorial, which will be on a site just north of the reflecting 
pool, will honor their sacrifice in the cause of freedom. I therefore 
urge my colleagues to lend their support to this bill and wish to thank 
Senator Chafee for his efforts on its behalf.

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