[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 144 (Thursday, October 23, 1997)]
[House]
[Page H9045]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       FIND A WAY TO PRESERVE THE HISTORIC CONGRESSIONAL CEMETERY

  (Mr. WALSH asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. WALSH. Madam Speaker, not very far from the Capitol in Southeast 
Washington sits the historic Congressional Cemetery. The name is 
somewhat misleading, since the cemetery itself is not affiliated with 
the U.S. Congress. However, there are over 60,000 interments there, 
including America's ``March King,'' John Philip Sousa; former FBI 
Director J. Edgar Hoover; Native Americans; military leaders; and over 
50 former Members of Congress.
  Over the years, the cemetery has fallen into disrepair. It was in 
need of a thorough cleanup, and under the leadership of our own Jim 
Oliver from the Cloakroom, who also heads the Association for the 
Preservation of Historic Congressional Cemetery, the project was 
undertaken last month.
  It would be impossible to name the hundreds of volunteers, but 
special praise goes to Air Force M. Sgt. Thomas Williams and Sgt. Dave 
Lutzow, both stationed at Andrews Air Force Base, who saw a program on 
the History Channel listing the cemetery as an endangered national 
treasure. Also, our former colleague, Bill Carney of New York, deserves 
great praise.
  It was a terrific effort but more needs to be done. We have to find a 
way to provide for permanent care and maintenance of this treasure. It 
is truly historic and of national significance.

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