[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 19 (Thursday, February 28, 2002)]
[Senate]
[Pages S1369-S1370]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 99--EXPRESSING THE SENSE OF THE CONGRESS 
  THAT A COMMEMORATIVE STAMP SHOULD BE ISSUED HONORING FELIX OCTAVIUS 
                              CARR DARLEY

  Mr. BIDEN (for himself and Mr. Carper) submitted the following 
concurrent resolution; which was referred to the Committee on 
Governmental Affairs:

                            S. Con. Res. 99

       Whereas Felix Octavius Carr Darley, a prolific 19th century 
     illustrator and designer, was born on June 22, 1821, in 
     Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and completed most of his major 
     works while living in Claymont, Delaware, before he died on 
     March 27, 1888;
       Whereas Darley was the illustrator for Washington Irving's 
     ``The Legend of Sleepy Hollow'', ``Rip Van Winkle'', ``Tales 
     of a Traveler'', and the five-volume ``Life of George 
     Washington'';
       Whereas Darley created the sketches for Henry Wadsworth 
     Longfellow's ``Evangeline'', and was the illustrator for the 
     American publications of Charles Dickens, including ``A Tale 
     of Two Cities'';
       Whereas Darley designed and executed the two woodcut 
     illustrations for the first printing of Edgar Allen Poe's 
     ``The Gold-Bug'' in the Philadelphia Dollar Newspaper;
       Whereas Darley provided illustrations for the first known 
     publication of Clement Moore's ``A Visit from St. Nicholas'', 
     the edition featuring the first change of the last line from 
     ``happy Christmas to all'' to ``merry Christmas to all'';
       Whereas, in 1875, Darley engaged in preparing 500 drawings 
     to illustrate a book entitled ``History of the United 
     States'', by B. J. Lossing;
       Whereas Darley illustrated more than 500 designs for James 
     Fenimore Cooper's works, including a project involving 
     designs for 64 steel engravings and 120 wood engravings, 
     leading to the publication of ``The Cooper Vignettes'' which 
     showcased the artist's works;
       Whereas Darley provided the line drawings for Nathaniel 
     Hawthorne's ``The Scarlet Letter'';
       Whereas Darley was elected a member of the Academy of 
     Design in 1852;
       Whereas Darley was a member of the Artist's Fund Society 
     and was one of the early members of the American Society of 
     Painters in Watercolors;
       Whereas Darley was inducted into the Society of 
     Illustrators Hall of Fame in 2001; and
       Whereas, for his accomplishments, Darley is credited by 
     many scholars with helping to create the pioneer image of 
     American History: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved by the Senate (the House of Representatives 
     concurring), That it is the sense of the Congress that--
       (1) a commemorative stamp should be issued honoring Felix 
     Octavius Carr Darley; and
       (2) the Citizens' Stamp Advisory Committee should recommend 
     to the Postmaster General that such a stamp be issued.

  Mr. BIDEN. Madam President, I am pleased to submit today a resolution 
calling on the Citizens' Stamp Advisory Committee to recommend a 
commemorative stamp honoring the 19th century illustrator, Felix 
Octavius Carr Darley. My distinguished colleague from the other body, 
Congressman Michael Castle, has already introduced an identical 
resolution in the House of Representatives.
  Felix Darley was the consummate American artist. He was born in 
Philadelphia, PA in 1821, but spent much of his later years in 
Delaware, where he died in 1888. In fact, for the last 29 years of 
Darling's life he lived in my hometown of Claymont, DE, where he 
produced many of his most famous and renowned drawings. As a 
Delawarean, and a resident of Claymont, Felix Darley has special 
significance for me. But he also has a special significance for the 
entire Nation.
  Mr. Darley has been described as ``one of the most famous 
illustrators of his time'' and ``the first major American 
illustrator.'' His works have even been said to have forged our very 
national identity. Felix Darley was the illustrator of books produced 
by the legendary writers of his time, including such masterful 
storytellers and poets as Charles Dickens, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, 
Edgar Allan Poe, Washington Irving, Nathaniel Hawthorne, and James 
Fenimore Cooper. Moreover, he is credited with helping to capture the 
image of the American frontier, which has become such an integral image 
of our collective imagination and consciousness. As a testament to his 
greatness, he was inducted into the Society of Illustrators Hall of 
Fame last year.
  Through his works, Felix Darley commemorated and captured our history 
and the creative achievements of some of our greatest writers. It is 
time we commemorate his life and his works for posterity by honoring 
him with a memorial postage stamp. I urge all of my colleagues to join 
me in sponsoring this resolution which calls on the Citizens' Stamp 
Advisory Committee to recommend such a stamp. It is a small, but needed 
step to recognize an American artist who gave us so much.

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