[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 133 (Monday, October 23, 2000)]
[House]
[Pages H10521-H10522]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




WASHINGTON-ROCHAMBEAU REVOLUTIONARY ROUTE NATIONAL HERITAGE ACT OF 2000

  Mr. GIBBONS. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the 
bill (H.R. 4794) to require the Secretary of the Interior to complete a 
resource study of the 600 mile route through Connecticut, Delaware, 
Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode 
Island, and Virginia, used by George Washington and General Rochambeau 
during the American Revolutionary War.
  The Clerk read as follows:

                               H.R. 4794

       Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
     the United States of America in Congress assembled,

     SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

       This Act may be cited as the ``Washington-Rochambeau 
     Revolutionary Route National Heritage Act of 2000''.

     SEC. 2. STUDY OF THE WASHINGTON-ROCHAMBEAU REVOLUTIONARY 
                   ROUTE.

       (a) In General.--Not later than 2 years after the date on 
     which funds are made available to carry out this section, the 
     Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Energy and Natural 
     Resources of the Senate and the Committee on Resources of the 
     House of Representatives, a resource study of the 600 mile 
     route through Connecticut, Delaware, Maryland, Massachusetts, 
     New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and 
     Virginia, used by George Washington and General Jean Baptiste 
     Donatien de Vimeur, comte de Rochambeau during the American 
     Revolutionary War.
       (b) Consultation.--In conducting the study required by 
     subsection (a), the Secretary shall consult with State and 
     local historic associations and societies, State historic 
     preservation agencies, and other appropriate organizations.
       (c) Contents.--The study shall--
       (1) identify the full range of resources and historic 
     themes associated with the route referred to in subsection 
     (a), including its relationship to the American Revolutionary 
     War;
       (2) identify alternatives for National Park Service 
     involvement with preservation and interpretation of the route 
     referred to in subsection (a); and
       (3) include cost estimates for any necessary acquisition, 
     development, interpretation, operation, and maintenance 
     associated with the alternatives identified pursuant to 
     paragraph (2).

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Nevada (Mr. Gibbons) and the gentleman from California (Mr. George 
Miller) each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Nevada (Mr. Gibbons).
  Mr. GIBBONS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, H.R. 4794 requires the Secretary of the Interior to 
complete a resource study of the 600-mile route used by George 
Washington and General Rochambeau during the Revolutionary War. The 
extensive route travels through nine different States and stretches 
from Massachusetts to Virginia.
  The study will identify the full range of resources and historic 
themes associated with the route and identify alternatives for a 
National Park Service involvement with the preservation and 
interpretation of the route.
  Compared to those of the Civil War, there just are not that many 
designated historic sites associated with the Revolutionary War. We 
need to protect these very important Revolutionary War sites as well. 
Thus, I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 4794.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. GEORGE MILLER of California. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such 
time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 4794, the Washington-
Rochambeau Revolutionary Route National Heritage Act of 2000. I want to 
commend our colleague, the gentleman from Connecticut (Mr. Larson), for 
all of the work he has done on this legislation. There is bipartisan 
support by every Member who represents the areas crossed by this road.
  Mr. LARSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of my bill H.R. 
4794, the Washington-Rochambeau Revolutionary Route National Heritage 
Act of 2000.
  At the outset, Mr. Speaker, I wish to deeply thank the gentleman from 
Alaska, Chairman Young, and the gentleman from California, Mr. Miller, 
for all of their efforts to bring this bill to the floor today. I also 
would like to thank and commend my colleagues Mr. Gilchrest and Ms. 
Kelly, who helped to have this bill placed on the House Calendar, and 
the other co-sponsors of this bill.
  Earlier this year, I received a letter from Hans DePold, a 
constituent of mine and a Member of the Sons of the American 
Revolution. The letter asked for my help in preserving a very special 
piece of history for all Americans, a route traveled by General George 
Washington and General Rochambeau during the American Revolution. It is 
from this correspondence and several meetings with Mr. DePold that I 
decided to introduce this piece of legislation. Since the introduction 
of H.R. 4794, I have received letters of support from States across 
this Nation urging the preservation of this Route.
  Almost 220 years after the Yorktown campaign, which was the decisive 
battle in the Revolutionary War, few Americans are unaware of the 
assistance from America's French Allies. In 1780, George Washington's 
army dwindled to less than 3,000 and assistance was desperately needed. 
Fortunately, 5,000 troops from the French expeditionary army, led by 
General Rochambeau, landed in Newport, Rhode Island to assist General 
Washington. At Rochambeau's urging, Washington abandoned his original 
plan to face the British in New York, and the combined army continued 
south to Yorktown, Virginia. General Rochambeau was vital in advising 
Washington and in guiding the ``end-game'' strategy that implemented 
the Yorktown Campaign.
  The Washington-Rochambeau Revolutionary Route is just another example 
of our Country's rich history. The troops traveled through 9 states up 
and down the East Coast and it is this route these soldiers took that 
has become known as the Washington-Rochambeau Revolutionary Road.
  When the troops passed through Connecticut, many buildings served as 
inns or officers housing. Seven towns and cities in my Congressional 
District have been documented as Washington Rochambeau sites. But my 
District and the State of Connecticut only represent a small piece of 
the larger story. There has been no comprehensive effort since 1957 to 
mark this route in its entirely.
  This bill would authorize the National Park Service to conduct a 
resource study for the 600 miles that extend through Connecticut, 
Delaware, Maryland, Massachusetts, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, 
Rhode Island, and Virginia. The study would identify the means of 
preservation and interpretation of the Route for the education of the 
public.
  The Secretary will also consult with the State and Local historic 
associations and other appropriate organizations. This bill will help 
in preserving this route, which serves as a reminder of how Americans 
won their freedom.
  This legislation has bipartisan support and the co-sponsorship of 
every member who represents the district where the WRRR travels 
through.
  I applaud the hard work and vision of the members of The Connecticut 
Society of the Sons of the American Revolution, Russell Wirtalla, Vice 
President of the New England Region Sons of the American Revolution, 
and Hans DePold, Washington-Rochambeau Revolutionary Route Committee of 
Correspondence. My sincere thanks and admiration also goes to Dr. 
Jacques Bossiere Chairman of the Washington Rochambeau Revolutionary 
Route Committee, Dr. James Johnson, Executive Director of the 
Washington Rochambeau Revolutionary Route Committee and Serge Gabriel, 
President of Souvenir Francais, Connecticut. In addition I would like 
to recognize, John Shannahan and Mary M. Donahue of the Connecticut 
Historical Commission, Dr. Robert A. Selig an eminent historian on 
Rochambeau's Cavalry, and Marolyn Paulis, President of the Connecticut 
State Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution. It would be 
remiss of me to not also recognize the work and support of Jay Jackson, 
Chancellor and Dr. David Musto, President of the Society of the 
Cincinnati in the State of Connecticut. Much gratitude is also extended 
to Larry Gall of the National Park Service and Steve Elkinton, Director 
of National Park Service Historic Trails.
  I would also like to offer my gratitude for the support of the 
Ambassador of France to the United States, Francois Bujon de l'Estang.
  Mr. Speaker, I submit for the Record a letter of support from 
Francois Bujon de l'Estang, the Ambassador of France to the United 
States, and urge my colleagues to support this legislation.

                                               Ambassade de France


                                               aux Etats-Unis,

                                        Washington, June 29, 2000.
     Hon. John B. Larson,
     Member of Congress, House of Representatives, Longworth House 
         Office Building, Washington, DC.
       Dear Mr. Larson: Thank you for taking the initiative to 
     introduce a legislation to commission the Secretary of 
     Interior and the National Park Service to complete a resource 
     study of the Washington-Rochambeau

[[Page H10522]]

     Revolutionary Road, the six hundred mile trail traveled by 
     the American and French generals en route to the decisive 
     battle of Yorktown.
       I commend you for paving the way to a proper commemoration 
     of an important page of the shared history of our nations. 
     The Washington-Rochambeau alliance is a reminder to us of how 
     long and deep the relationship between our two countries has 
     been. All events that remind us of the importance of the 
     historical links uniting our nations should be encouraged.
           Sincerely,
                                       Francois Bujon de l'Estang.

  Mr. GEORGE MILLER of California. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the 
balance of my time.
  Mr. GIBBONS. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from Nevada (Mr. Gibbons) that the House suspend the rules 
and pass the bill, H.R. 4794.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds having voted in favor 
thereof) the rules were suspended and the bill was passed.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

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