[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 41 (Thursday, April 2, 1998)]
[Senate]
[Page S3174]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        TRIBUTE TO HOWARD COFFIN

 Mr. JEFFORDS. Mr. President, Vermont has a long-standing 
reputation of having the most valiant regiments to be dispatched to the 
Union Army during the Civil War. Vermonters not only fought bravely for 
the preservation of the Union and for an end to slavery, they made 
vital contributions to many important battles. The Union Army was at a 
great advantage when they were lucky enough to have Vermonters fighting 
by their side. Mr. President, I rise today to pay tribute to Howard 
Coffin, a Vermonter who has lead the fight for the preservation of this 
country's hallowed grounds. I am pleased and honored that Howard Coffin 
will receive the Vermont Civil War Council's ``Full Duty" award for his 
dedication and accomplishments in preserving and understanding of our 
nation's most cherished and sacred lands.
  Preserving our nation's battlefields is very important to me and a 
subject very close to Howard's heart. Several years ago I had the 
privilege to travel with Howard, who is well known as the most 
prominent Civil War tour guide in Vermont, from battlefield to 
battlefield. We relived Jackson's battles of the 1862 campaign and 
retraced the Union campaign of 1864. From that day on I have shared 
Howard's passion and interest in this country's sacred past. 
Fortunately for me and this country, Howard took the lead as a member 
of my staff to find out all we could about the battlefields and what 
was needed to safeguard this nation's Civil War heritage. It quickly 
became apparent that the Civil War battlefields were in need of 
protection. Howard was instrumental in drafting and helping pass 
important legislation which led to eventual passage of the Shenandoah 
Valley Battlefields Commission and the Civil War Sites Advisory 
Commission.
  A leader in the effort to preserve Civil War battlefields, Howard has 
served on the boards of the Association for the Preservation of Civil 
War Sites and Protect Historic America and served as member of the 
Civil War Sites Advisory Commission. He has published several books on 
the Civil War, including ``Full Duty'' and his most recent, ``Nine 
Months to Gettysburg,'' which tells the story of the Second Vermont 
Brigade. He also organized the first ever fundraiser for battlefield 
preservation in Vermont generating over $10,000 for the protection of 
the battlefield of the 3rd Winchester where Vermonters fought and died 
so valiantly.
  Mr. President, the American Civil War is thought by many historians 
to be the fundamental event shaping the character of the United States. 
However, battlefield sites that are vital to understanding and 
appreciating our nation's history are in grave danger. This country is 
lucky to have Howard Coffin on its side, because he will not rest until 
every field, hill, dam, valley, and woods in this country that has been 
saturated with the blood of soldiers who fought so bravely are 
protected and recognized. I am grateful for the foresight and 
dedication of Howard Coffin and congratulate him on his acceptance of 
the ``Full Duty'' award.

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