[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 36 (Thursday, March 26, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E491]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 IN HONOR OF THE 100TH BIRTHDAY OF THE MARIA JEFFERSON CHAPTER OF THE 
                  DAUGHTERS OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. TILLIE K. FOWLER

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 26, 1998

  Mrs. FOWLER. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased today to offer my 
congratulations to the Maria Jefferson Chapter of the Daughters of the 
American Revolution on celebrating 100 years of service to northeast 
Florida.
  The National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution was 
founded in Washington, DC in October of 1890 with Caroline Scott 
Harrison, the wife of U.S. President Benjamin Harrison, as its first 
president. Just eight years later, on March 26, 1898, Saint Augustine, 
Florida became home to the Maria Jefferson Chapter of the DAR, named 
for the daughter of President Thomas Jefferson. I am proud to represent 
Saint Augustine, the nation's oldest city of European extraction, and 
proud to call many of the Chapter's members my constituents and 
friends. The Florida State Society of the DAR boasts 106 chapters with 
over 8,000 members.
  Members of the Daughters of the American Revolution are descendants 
of those who aided in achieving American Independence. The National 
Society accepts service, with some exceptions, for the period between 
April 19, 1775 (Battle of Lexington) and November 26, 1783 (withdrawal 
of British Troops from New York). Among those ancestors with accepted 
service are signers of the Declaration of Independence, those with 
military service and those whose ancestors gave patriotic service in 
the Continental Congress, State Conventions and Assemblies, committees 
made necessary by the war, members of the Boston Tea Party, doctors and 
nurses and other rendering aid to the wounded and prisoners of war or 
refugees from occupying forces.
  Those of us who have been to the DAR Constitution Hall, here in 
Washington, DC, have enjoyed the building's beauty and grandeur, 
courtesy of the devoted members of the DAR. However, because of the 
selfless way in which the members perform their community service, most 
of us have never heard what the DAR usually does on a daily basis. 
Members of the Daughters of the American Revolution are dedicated to 
the lofty goals of honoring our nation's historic forebears, preserving 
our nation's heritage and promoting education.
  The members of the DAR not only honor their ancestors who have served 
our country, they themselves serve its citizens by visiting disabled 
veterans at their homes, in hospitals and in nursing homes. They sold 
recreational activities for patients such as carnivals and picnics and 
participate in special programs for homeless veterans such as medical 
and social screening and providing buddy bags. Some chapters give 
special support to needy, individual women veterans and participate in 
special women's health care programs. This year, five chapters in 
Florida are raising special funds towards the purchase of a van to 
transport veterans between medical appointments.
  The DAR works with schools to help instill historical awareness and 
pride in our country by presenting medals and college scholarships and 
provide boarding schools for underprivileged children. DAR members also 
present American flags to schools and other public institutions and 
sponsor historic plaques.
  I am thrilled to be able to use this opportunity to call attention to 
the work of the National Society of the Daughters of the American 
Revolution, Saint Augustine's Maria Jefferson Chapter and the Chapter's 
regent Jane Rhea Douglas for their selfless and important work on 
behalf of our nation's veterans both past and present.
  Congratulations Maria Jefferson Chapter on your 100th birthday. I 
send to you my sincere wishes that the new millennium may hold in store 
many more years of commendable service to our community.

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