[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 20 (Tuesday, February 29, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E196]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  268TH BIRTHDAY OF GEORGE WASHINGTON

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                        HON. BENJAMIN A. GILMAN

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, February 29, 2000

  Mr. GILMAN. Mr. Speaker, earlier this month we marked the 268th 
anniversary of the birth of the Father of our Nation, General George 
Washington.
  It is regrettable that the establishment of ``President's Day'' as a 
national holiday has put onto the back burner the remarkable 
achievements of this incredible, irreplaceable American. I understand 
that one of our automobile companies commemorated ``President's Day'' 
by having an actor disguised as General Washington blow out 269 candles 
on a faux birthday cake. Considering that this auto company couldn't be 
bothered to get the number of the year correct, we can imagine to our 
consternation the other injustices perpetrated against the man who was 
``first in war, first in peace, and first in the hearts of his 
countrymen.''
  Last week, I was honored to be asked to deliver brief remarks at the 
celebration of Washngton's Birthday at the Masonic Historic Site in 
Tappan, NY, in Rockland County in my Congressional District.
  I would like to share with my colleagues my remarks delivered at that 
time, and insert them into the Record at this point:

  Remarks by Rep. Benjamin A. Gilman, 20th District--NY, February 20, 
                                  2000

       Right Worshipful Ambrose R. Kurtzke; Right Worshipful Grand 
     Chaplain John H.R. Jackley Jr.; Brother Masons; Friends:
       We are gathered today, as we have gathered every February, 
     to commemorate the birth of the greatest American of all 
     time, and our Brother Mason, General George Washington.
       Two hundred years ago this month, Masonic Lodges throughout 
     the United States gathered to pay tribute to President 
     Washington's 268th birthday. Those commemorations in the year 
     1800 were bittersweet, for Brother Washington had passed away 
     two months earlier, having died of what was apparently a 
     strep throat on December 14, 1799.
       Soon after his death, Richard Henry Lee, a Congressman from 
     Virginia, declared on the floor of Congress that Washington 
     was ``first in war, first in peace, and first in the hearts 
     of his countrymen.''
       No truer words were ever spoke.
       George Washington's record as our nation's Commander in 
     Chief during our War for Independence was incredible. With a 
     small, ragged force, he skillfully brought the greatest 
     military power on the face of the earth at that time to its 
     knees. He did this despite the fact that his Army was ill 
     equipped, ill financed, and that he was constantly the target 
     of intrigues to replace him.
       At the end of the Revolutionary War, Washington set an 
     example for all time by refusing to allow his Army to set him 
     up as dictator of the United States--a temptation that no 
     military ruler in other nations has been able to resist.
       He turned down the crown of the United States at his New 
     Windsor encampment, just a few miles north of here, in Orange 
     County, NY.
       In peacetime, George Washington lent his great prestige to 
     the cause of establishing a strong central government. Many 
     historians contend that our Constitution would never have 
     been ratified had not our state governments been confident 
     that George Washington would be our first president.
       And, Brother Masons, I regret to note that in the face of 
     some revisionist historians out to make a name for themselves 
     by denigrating Washington's good name, it has become our 
     responsibility to make certain that George Washington remains 
     ``first in the hearts of our countrymen.''
       It is our task and responsibility to make certain the truth 
     about this saintly man will not be forgotten.
       Have a happy Washington's birthday. Thank you and God 
     Bless!

     

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