[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 105 (Wednesday, July 17, 1996)]
[Senate]
[Pages S8023-S8024]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. Campbell (for himself, Mr. Chafee and Ms. Moseley-Braun):
  S. 1966. A bill to extend the legislative authority for the Black 
Revolutionary War Patriots Foundation to establish a commemorative 
work; to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.


       THE BLACK REVOLUTIONARY WAR PATRIOTS MEMORIAL ACT OF 1996

  Mr. CAMPBELL. Mr. President, on behalf of myself and my distinguished 
colleagues, Senator Chafee and Senator Moseley-Braun, today I introduce 
legislation that seeks to extend the legislative authority for the 
construction of the Black Revolutionary War Patriots Memorial and for 
the Foundation raising funds to construct the memorial.
  Mr. President, in 1986, the Congress enacted and President Reagan 
signed into law legislation establishing a Black Revolutionary War 
Patriots Memorial, a memorial to honor the more than 5,000 African-
Americans who fought for this country during the Revolutionary War. In 
order to appropriately recognize the bravery and sacrifice of these 
honorable and distinguished patriots, Public Law 99-558 sought to 
establish a suitable memorial, a monument which will be located on the 
Mall here in Washington, DC. When complete, the memorial will be the 
first monument on the Mall to be dedicated solely to the 
accomplishments of African-Americans.
  The centerpiece of P.L. 99-558 was the establishment of the Black 
Revolutionary War Patriots Foundation, as a not-for-profit organization 
whose sole charter is to raise the necessary funding for the costs 
associated with constructing the memorial.
  When enacted, the foundation was authorized to operate for a period 
of 10 years, no more. While the foundation has raised a substantial 
amount of funding, it remains short of its $9.5 million goal. This 
legislation would provide for a 2-year extension of the legislative 
authority for the establishment of the memorial, providing the 
foundation with valuable time to complete its fundraising.
  I have a couple of reasons for wishing to see this extension approved 
by Congress. First, this memorial serves a noble purpose, honoring the 
service and patriotism of individuals long deserving of this praise. 
Second, the sculptor who has been commissioned to design this memorial 
is a Coloradan named Ed Dwight. Mr. Dwight, the first African-American 
astronaut, is an accomplished artist residing in Denver. His work is 
known across the world, and I would like to see his design for the

[[Page S8024]]

Black Revolutionary War Patriots Memorial become a reality and be 
situated near several of this country's most distinguished monuments.
  Mr. President, I believe Congress has demonstrated its commitment to 
the establishment of the Black Revolutionary War Patriots Memorial by 
authorizing its construction almost 10 years ago. In addition, my 
distinguished colleagues, Senator John Chafee and Representative Nancy 
Johnson, have also introduced legislation which will raise funds for 
construction costs through the minting and issuing of a commemorative 
coin honoring these patriots. To date, 376 Members have signed on as 
cosponsors to these measures, myself included.
  It is my hope this legislation will receive the full, expeditious 
support of the Senate.
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