[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 9 (Wednesday, January 20, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E84-E85]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      THE RETURN OF THE ``LINCOLN BANNER'' TO NORWICH, CONNECTICUT

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                           HON. SAM GEJDENSON

                             of connecticut

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, January 19, 1999

  Mr. GEJDENSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise to commemorate a momentous event 
in the history of Norwich, Connecticut. On January 22, 1999, the fully-
restored ``Lincoln Banner'' will be unveiled. The story surrounding the 
discovery and restoration of this 138 year old artifact is a testament 
to the spirit of volunteerism and pride in our history which have long 
distinguished Americans.
  The ``Lincoln Banner'' is so named because it depicts Abraham 
Lincoln, without his beard, at approximately age 51 on a 6 by 8 foot 
silk banner. A portrait of Lincoln graces the center of the banner and 
is surrounded by the following inscription--``In hoc signo Vincemus. 
Ubi Libertas, Ibi Patria''--which roughly translates to ``In this sign 
we are victorious. One for liberty under the fatherland.'' ``Norwich'' 
is inscribed in capital letters across the bottom.
  The origins and exact use of the banner are known conclusively only 
to history herself. However, most in Norwich believe it was produced 
for Lincoln's presidential campaign and displayed during his visit to 
the community on March 9, 1860. Mr. Lincoln did not come to Norwich 
seeking support for his election. Instead, he came to help a fellow 
Republican--Governor William Buckingham--who was seeking reelection. 
Local historians believe the banner hung outside the Wauregan Hotel 
where Lincoln stayed.
  Following Mr. Lincoln's visit, the banner essentially vanished for 
more than 135 years. Then, in 1997, officials in Norwich received a 
telephone call from an auction house in my state indicating that it had 
recently been contacted by an individual who wished to sell the banner. 
A spontaneous, grassroots effort, initiated by John Marasco, a city 
employee, who went on local radio station WICH with personality Johnny 
London to urge listeners to contribute, raised nearly $41,000 from 
residents, businesses and others in the community. As a result of this 
tremendous amount of support, the City was able to purchase the banner 
and bring it back to its rightful home.

[[Page E85]]

  After nearly 140 years, the banner was in poor condition. It was torn 
and tattered and in need of restoration. With more assistance from the 
community and significant support from the City of Norwich, a group 
formed to preserve the banner--the Norwich-Lincoln Homecoming 
Committee--was able to send it to be expertly restored by the Textile 
Conservation Center at the American Textile Museum in Lowell, 
Massachusetts. On January 22, the banner will be returned permanently 
to Norwich. It will become the centerpiece of an exhibit at the Slater 
Museum entitled ``Norwich, Lincoln and the Civil War.'' After the 
exhibit closes, the banner will be displayed in City Hall for all to 
see.
  Mr. Speaker, the return of the ``Lincoln Banner'' to Norwich brings 
the community full circle and closes an important loop in its history. 
The effort to purchase and preserve the banner demonstrates that pride 
in the community and our heritage is alive and well in American today. 
I believe President Lincoln would be proud of, and probably more than a 
little humbled by, the community's efforts to preserve an important 
part of the past. I know I speak for the entire community when I say 
``Welcome Back, Mr. President.''

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