[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 141 (Thursday, October 3, 1996)]
[Senate]
[Pages S12375-S12376]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  THE BLACK REVOLUTIONARY WAR PATRIOTS

  Mr. CHAFEE. Mr. President, I am delighted to note the passage of 
legislation I introduced with Senator Moseley-Braun to authorize the 
U.S. Mint to create a coin commemorating Crispus Attucks and the more 
than 5,000 African-American patriots who fought and died during the 
Revolutionary War. Our bill, S. 953, known as the Black Revolutionary 
War Patriots Commemorative Coin Act, was cosponsored by 63 Senators 
from both sides of the aisle and every region of our Nation. After 
approval by the Citizens' Commemorative Coin Advisory Commission, the 
companion bill, introduced by Representative Nancy Johnson, was 
approved unanimously by the House of Representatives.
  In 1986, Congress approved construction on the National Mall of a 
memorial celebrating the lives of the African-American men and women 
who served, fought, and died during our Nation's Revolutionary War. 
Ironically, many of these brave Americans never experienced the freedom 
and independence for which they fought. A portion of the proceeds from 
sales of the coin will help to pay for construction of a memorial 
recognizing the contribution of these brave Americans.
  As children in school, we all learn that Crispus Attucks was the 
first person to lose his life at the outbreak of the Revolutionary War, 
but few of us learn about the valor and sacrifice of thousands of 
others who willingly fought to free a land that deprived them of 
freedom. Harriet Beecher Stowe put it this way,

       They served a nation which did not acknowledge them as 
     citizens and equals * * *. It was not for their own land they 
     fought, but for a land that enslaved them. Bravery under such 
     circumstances, has particular beauty and merit.

  The vast majority of African-Americans who served in the Continental 
Army were from New England, and a great number were from my State of 
Rhode Island. In fact, in 1778, Rhode Island approved the first slave 
enlistment act and the Black Regiment of Rhode Island was formed. This 
was one of only two all African-American regiments. The other was the 
Bucks of America of Boston.
  Not only did these men serve our Nation, they served with 
distinction. Regrettably throughout our history, their valor has been 
overlooked and nearly forgotten. Men like Jack Sisson of Rhode Island, 
who expertly steered one of five boats involved in the daring capture 
of British Maj. Gen. Richard Prescott at Newport in 1777, are barely 
mentioned in historical reports of the incident.
  Jack Sisson went on to join a regiment of some 200 African-American 
soldiers from my State, who, at the battle of Rhode Island, held their 
ground against several fierce attacks by British-Hessian forces, 
thereby allowing 6 American brigades to retreat. With scant training, 
but abundant courage, the First Rhode Island Regiment inflicted 
casualties of 6 to 1 on the professional troops of the Redcoats.
  Like African-American soldiers throughout the colonies, however, the 
soldiers of Rhode Island's First Regiment faced tragedy as well as 
triumph. In May, 1781, the unit suffered a surprise attack by the 
British cavalry at Pines Bridge, and 40 soldiers lost their lives. Two 
years later, the regiment was disbanded unceremoniously in Oswego, NY. 
According to the historian John Harmon, the soldiers were told to find 
their own way home, and many died while making the trip. Further, 
despite the promise of freedom which had been made in order to entice 
them to enlist, tragically, some of the soldiers were actually re-
enslaved after their return.
  Now, with the passage of this commemorative coin legislation, a 
monument honoring these forgotten patriots can be constructed on our 
Nation's Mall. The design for the memorial was approved recently, funds 
are being raised by the Patriots Foundation, and the recognition that 
these brave Americans deserve is near at hand.
  I would like to give special thanks to Chairman D'Amato and the 
majority leader who recognized the importance of this coin bill and 
took the steps necessary to enable its passage.
  Mr. JOHNSTON. Mr. President, I would like to make a few comments 
regarding H.R. 1776, the commemorative coin bill which has recently 
taken a great deal of the time of a number of Senators. In an effort to 
come to agreement on this package which contains coins for a number of 
very worthy causes, the bill directs that a marketing study be 
undertaken prior to the commencement of the Fifty State Coin Program.
  Mr. President, I would like to clarify to my colleagues that this 
language is intended to ensure that this coin program will be 
successful. To that end it is very important that the U.S. Mint, which 
has the expertise in coin marketing, direct the study. In addition, 
language has been included in the package that directs that funds to 
pay for this study come from discretionary funds of the Department of 
the Treasury, and not from the U.S. Mint. Many Senators have not been 
satisfied with the conduct of the debate on this issue, and this 
language makes it clear that funds for this compromise study will not 
come from proceeds of the coin programs used to fund U.S. Mint 
operations, but rather from the Treasury Department.
  Mr. GRAHAM. Mr. President, I wish to thank all the people who worked 
hard on this issue. It sounds like a fairly simple process, to 
authorize the issuance of a commemorative coin. We have all found it is 
not such a simple process.
  One of those coins with which I am particularly involved relates to 
issuing a coin on the 200th anniversary of the

[[Page S12376]]

passing of our first President, George Washington, the proceeds to be 
used for the restoration and enhancement of his home at Mount Vernon.
  I appreciate the efforts of Senator D'Amato and the others who have 
worked to see that this legislation is adopted. There are many 
thousands of people who will be very pleased at this action we are 
about to take.
  I thank my colleagues for this very significant step.
  Mr. LOTT. Mr. President, I yield to Senator D'Amato, who, as chairman 
of the Banking Committee, has certainly been intimately involved in 
this. As a general rule, they do not let a lot of these coin bills go 
through without a lot of very serious consideration and careful thought 
and preparation. But these are good ones. You have certainly done an 
excellent job bringing it to this point, and we congratulate you.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from New York.
  Mr. D'AMATO. Mr. President, I thank the leader for his patience and 
help, and our Democratic leader as well, for joining Senator Graham and 
all those Senators who worked to bring us to this point.
  This legislation not only accomplishes some magnificent goals in 
commemorating some wonderful Americans and various events--Jackie 
Robinson, among those--but, in addition, will raise money for some very 
worthy causes like the Jackie Robinson Foundation to help needy 
students. It has already provided scholarships for 400 children.
  One last thought. This package is a very carefully worked out reform 
package that Congressman Castle, our colleague in the House, has worked 
on to achieve what I think will streamline this process so it will be a 
credit to the Congress in future deliberations as they relate to which 
coins should we be commemorating and how do we go about this, instead 
of a haphazard scattergun manner.
  I thank both of the leaders. Not only do we mint various coins--it 
does provide for that--but also sets up a procedure which will bring 
much more order to this House as well as to the House of 
Representatives. I thank both leaders.
  Mr. DASCHLE. Mr. President, the majority leader has spoken, I think, 
well for all of us. This was a major undertaking. I applaud the 
leadership of the distinguished chairman of the committee, the Senator 
from Florida, and so many others who have had a part to play in making 
this happen.
  This was the first of a series of bills that we are able to pass this 
afternoon. It is passing in large measure because of the extraordinary 
work and cooperation on both sides of the aisle.
  This is a good bill. It is important that we pass it today. I am 
delighted that one of the last things we are doing is passing H.R. 
1776.
  Mr. LOTT. Mr. President, I congratulate one and all who have been 
involved in development of this legislation--Senator D'Amato, Senator 
Warner, and Senator Graham of Florida. They have all been very 
interested in this. We are glad we were able to get it cleared and 
through this process.
  I think it is good legislation and a good effort.
  Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent the amendment be agreed to, 
the bill be deemed read a third time and passed, the motion to 
reconsider be laid upon the table, and any statements relating to the 
bill appear at the appropriate place in the Record.
  The amendment (No. 5428) was agreed to.
  The bill (H.R. 1776), as amended, was deemed read for a third time 
and passed.

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