[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 57 (Tuesday, May 1, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E686]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               INTRODUCTION OF ADAMS MEMORIAL LEGISLATION

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                            HON. TIM ROEMER

                               of indiana

                    in the house of representatives

                          Tuesday, May 1, 2001

  Mr. ROEMER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to announce the introduction of 
my legislation to authorize the placement of a memorial in Washington, 
D.C. to honor John Adams and his wife, Abigail; John Quincy Adams and 
his wife, Louisa; and their legacy of public service.
  History's characterization of the remarkable Adams family has been 
woefully inadequate. The patriarch, John Adams, is often portrayed as 
short and overbearing, better known for his temper than his leadership 
and intellect.
  Thanks largely to David McCullough's forthcoming biography of Adams, 
such misconceptions will soon be corrected. Adams, of course, was the 
most passionate advocate for our break with Britain. He nominated 
Jefferson to write the Declaration of Independence and passionately and 
persuasively defended the final product. It was Adams's foresight to 
nominate George Washington as commander of the Continental Army, and he 
negotiated the Treaty of Paris to end the Revolutionary War.
  As President, Adams was nonpartisan and ideological, never 
sacrificing his beliefs for political gain. He skillfully (and wisely) 
avoided war with France despite the overwhelming warmongering from his 
own Federalist Party. Such independence preserved his integrity, but 
cost him a second term.
  One of the few people truly comparable to John Adams both in passion 
and intellect was his wife, Abigail. Those who knew them personally 
called their union perfect. Abigail's letters to her husband reveal not 
only her wit and intelligence, but also a profound belief in the 
equality of women that was more than 100 years before its time.
  Their son, John Quincy Adams, was perhaps the most remarkable public 
servant in our country's history. Following in the footsteps of his 
father, Adams spent much of his public service career in Europe as 
foreign minister to Russia, the Netherlands, Portugal, Prussia, and 
Great Britain. As foreign minister to Russia during the Madison 
Administration, he negotiated the Treaty of Ghent, which ended the War 
of 1812. As Secretary of State under President Monroe, John Quincy 
Adams was a primary author of the critical Monroe Doctrine, which 
warned European nations against involvement in American affairs. He 
also negotiated the transfer of Florida from Spain to the U.S. and 
successfully extended the border of the Louisiana Purchase all the way 
to the Pacific Ocean.
  Like his father, John Quincy Adams was an idealistic President. 
Despite the objections of many in his own party, he sponsored a program 
of government investment in science, education and infrastructure. He 
urged the government to establish an observatory, and fund a national 
university. His many critics called his initiatives unconstitutional. 
Like his father, John Quincy Adam's refusal to succumb to political 
pressure cost him a second term.
  Following his Presidency, John Quincy Adams returned to public life 
as a U.S. Representative from Quincy, Massachusetts. He served nine 
terms in Congress and spent the majority of his time and energy 
vociferously opposing slavery. He suffered a stroke on the House floor 
in 1848 and died in a chamber of the Capitol two days later.
  John Quincy Adams's son, Charles Francis, served in both the 
Massachusetts and U.S. House of Representatives, in his father's old 
seat. Similar to his father and grandfather, Charles Francis Adams was 
a strong abolitionist who left the Whig Party to run on the 1848 Free 
Soil ticket as the vice-presidential candidate. He is best known for 
his role during the Civil War as foreign minister to England, his 
logic, reserve and directness preventing the British from substantively 
embracing the Confederacy.
  Charles Francis Adams's son, Henry Adams, was a ``liberal 
Republican'' journalist who detested the partisanship that infested 
Washington during Reconstruction. Through his writing, he exposed 
massive political corruption and numerous scandals. Henry Adams is best 
known for his brilliant autobiography, The Education of Henry Adams 
(published in 1918), which won the Pulitzer Prize.
  Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to introduce this legislation which, 
pursuant to the 1986 Commemorative Works Act, authorizes the placement 
of a commemorative work, to one of our country's truly remarkable and 
indispensable families. I want to thank my friend and colleague, Bill 
Delahunt, for joining me in this important effort.

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