[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 134 (Wednesday, September 25, 1996)]
[Senate]
[Pages S11302-S11303]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. DeWINE:

  S. 2122. A bill to establish the Fallen Timbers Battlefield, Fort 
Meigs, and Fort Miamis National Historical Site in the State of Ohio; 
to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.


                         THE FALLEN TIMBERS ACT

 Mr. DeWINE. Mr. President, I introduce legislation that will 
designate the Fallen Timbers Battlefield, Fort Meigs, and Fort Miamis 
as national historic sites.
  Mr. President, the people of northwest Ohio are committed to 
preserving the historic heritage of the United States and the State of 
Ohio, as well as that of their own community.
  The truly national significance of the Battle of Fallen Timbers and 
Fort Meigs have been acknowledged already. In 1960, Fallen Timbers was 
designated as a National Historic Landmark. In 1969, Fort Meigs 
received this designation.
  The Battle of Fallen Timbers is acknowledged by the National Park 
Service as a culminating event in the history of the struggle for 
dominance in the old Northwest Territory.
  Fort Meigs is recognized by the National Park Service as the zenith 
of the British advance in the west as well as the maximum effort by 
Native forces under the Shawnee, Tecumseh, during the War of 1812.
  Fort Miamis, which was attacked twice without success by British 
troops, led by Gen. Henry Proctor, in the spring of 1813, is listed on 
the National Register of Historic Places.
  Recently, the National Park Service completed a special resource 
study examining the proposed national historic site designation and the 
suitability of these sites for inclusion in the National Park System.
  The Park Service concluded that these sites were suitable for 
inclusion in the National Park System--with non-Federal management and 
National Park Service assistance. The bill I am introducing today would 
act on that recommendation.

  My legislation will accomplish the following:
  Recognize and preserve the 185-acre Fallen Timbers Battlefield site;

[[Page S11303]]

  Formalize the linkage between the Fallen Timbers Battlefield and 
Monument to Fort Meigs and Fort Miamis;
  Preserve and interpret U.S. military history and native American 
culture during the period from 1794 through 1813; and,
  Provide technical assistance to the State of Ohio as well as 
interested community and historical groups in the development and 
implementation of programming and interpretation of the three sites.
  However, my legislation will not require the Federal Government to 
provide direct funding to these three sites. That responsibility 
remains with--and is welcomed by--the many individuals, community 
groups, elected officials, and others who deserve recognition for their 
many hours of hard work dedicated to this issue.
  Mr. President, we have entered an era where the responsibility and 
the drive behind the management, programming, and--in many cases--the 
funding for historic preservation is the responsibility of local 
community groups, local elected officials, and local business 
communities.
  This legislation to designate the Fallen Timbers Battlefield, Fort 
Meigs, and Fort Miamis as national historic sites represents just such 
an effort. In my opinion, it is long overdue.
  Mr. President, it's time to grant these truly historic areas the 
measure of respect and recognition they deserve. I agree with the 
National Park Service--and the people of Ohio--on this issue. That is 
why I am proposing this important legislation today.
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