[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 138 (Monday, September 30, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1820-E1821]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 RECOGNITION OF CAMP WILLIAM PENN INTERPRETIVE CENTER AND EMANCIPATION 
                          PROCLAMATION MUSEUM

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. JON D. FOX

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                      Saturday, September 28, 1996

  Mr. FOX of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I rise with pride today to call 
attention to the development of the Camp William Penn Interpretive 
Museum and Emancipation Proclamation Memorial in the Thirteenth 
District of Pennsylvania. This morning I attended the celebration 
sponsored by the Citizens for Restoration of Historic LaMott with the 
purpose of expressing my personal commitment to further the 
establishment of both the museum and the memorial.
  LaMott, PA has long been a community that deserves to both celebrate 
its accomplishments, to reflect upon its proud past and to look to the 
future with great optimism. It has long championed for equal rights for 
all citizens regardless of race, sex, nationality, ethnicity, or 
religious preference.

[[Page E1821]]

  Once known as Camp Town, LaMott was the home to Camp William Penn and 
11 black regiments. These regiments were the first authorized Federal 
black soldiers trained to fight who were legally recognized as able to 
sell their labor. They were part of the original forces of the U.S. 
Army and were considered some of the best soldiers in the Army.
  This was best illustrated by Maj. Gen. Benjamin Butler in his 
comments on October 11, 1864 when he stated: ``Better men were never 
led, better officers were never led by better men * * * These troops * 
* * bring honor to the American Army.''
  In addition, or perhaps as a result, the First Federal U.S. Army 
Noncommissioned Negro Officers' School was established here in 1864.
  LaMott was the location for the first use of a Doctrine of Equal 
Rights on September 1, 1863. It was also the site of the first filed 
U.S. Public Accommodation case for the right of African-Americans to 
ride inside public street cars in 1864. The rule granting the right was 
in 1867.
  LaMott was also home to many notable abolitionists who lived and 
worked in and around Camp Town. Included in this list are Lucretia 
Mott, Hariett Tubman, Frederick Douglass, Jay Cooke, Ephraim Barker, 
Edwin Stanton, and Edward Davis.
  After the war, Camp Town--or LaMott, as we know it--continued to 
serve as a shining example to the rest of the Nation of a community 
dedicated to racial quality. Lucretia Mott and her brother-in-law, 
Edward M. Davis, were known primarily for their heroic activities to 
end slavery and for their leadership in the Underground Railroad. They 
continued their fine work by helping black families, many of whom were 
former slaves to settle in and become part of the peaceful, cohesive, 
and productive community of LaMott.
  As evidenced by the tremendous expression of public support this 
morning, I know that this is a community that is still dedicated to 
helping each American to fulfill his or her individual potential. I was 
honored to share in today's special LaMott Day Celebration and to 
extend my best wishes for the continued success of the Camp William 
Penn Interpretive Center and the Emancipation Proclamation Museum.
  Finally, I wish to express my special congratulations to the 
organization's Executive Director Perry Triplett for his vision, 
dedication, and compassion.

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