[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 23 (Wednesday, March 6, 2002)]
[House]
[Pages H707-H708]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 DESIGNATION OF GEORGE ROGERS CLARK NORTHWEST CAMPAIGN TRAIL FOR STUDY 
          FOR POTENTIAL ADDITION TO THE NATIONAL TRAILS SYSTEM

  Mr. HANSEN. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the 
bill (H.R. 1963) to amend the National Trails System Act to designate 
the route taken by American soldier and frontiersman George Rogers 
Clark and his men during the Revolutionary War to capture the British 
forts at Kaskaskia and Cahokia, Illinois, and Vincennes, Indiana, for 
study for potential addition to the National Trails System.
  The Clerk read as follows:

                               H.R. 1963

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

     SECTION 1. DESIGNATION OF GEORGE ROGERS CLARK NORTHWEST 
                   CAMPAIGN TRAIL FOR STUDY FOR POTENTIAL ADDITION 
                   TO THE NATIONAL TRAILS SYSTEM.

       Section 5(c) of the National Trails System Act (16 U.S.C. 
     1244(c)) is amended by adding at the end the following new 
     paragraph:
       ``(41) George rogers clark northwest campaign trail.--The 
     George Rogers Clark Northwest Campaign Trail, tracing the 
     water route and overland route of the 1778 and 1779 
     expedition of Lieutenant Colonel George Rogers Clark and his 
     Virginia militia against the British in which he captured the 
     British forts at Kaskaskia and Cahokia, in what is now 
     Illinois, and twice captured Vincennes, in what is now 
     Indiana.''.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Utah (Mr. Hansen) and the gentleman from Guam (Mr. Underwood) each will 
control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Utah (Mr. Hansen).
  Mr. HANSEN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, H.R. 1963, introduced by the gentleman from Illinois 
(Mr. Costello), would amend the National Trail System to authorize the 
Secretary of the Interior to conduct the suitability and feasibility 
study for including the route taken by Colonel George Rogers Clark 
during the American Revolutionary War as part of the National Trails 
System.
  Colonel George Rogers Clark, the older brother of William Clark of 
the famous Lewis and Clark expedition, led a daring and, some might 
say, suicidal mission 180 miles from Kaskaskia and Cahokia, Illinois, 
and I probably fouled that up, through flooded prairies and freezing 
temperatures in 1779 to capture British Lt. Colonel Henry Hamilton in 
Vincennes, Indiana.
  Colonel Hamilton, also known as ``hair buyer,'' supported the Indian 
Nations west of the Appalachian Mountains by paying for the scalps of 
our pioneers.
  Mr. Speaker, as a result of this historic act, the British ceded what 
is now Ohio, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Wisconsin, and the eastern 
portion of Minnesota to the United States. Mr. Speaker, this bill is 
supported by the majority and the minority of the committee and the 
administration. I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 1963.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. UNDERWOOD. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  Mr. Speaker, H.R. 1963, introduced by our colleague from Illinois 
(Mr. Costello), provides for a study of the route used by George Rogers 
Clark and his troops during the military campaign of 1778 and 1779 in 
what is now Illinois and Indiana. From February 5 through the 23rd, 
1779, Lt. Colonel George Rogers Clark and his Virginia militia marched 
180 miles through freezing weather and flooded country side to defeat 
British Lt. General Henry Hamilton and his troops. During this campaign 
the Americans captured the British forts at Kaskaskia and Cahokia, in 
what is now Illinois, and twice captured Vincennes, in what is now 
Indiana.
  The military campaign conducted by George Rogers Clark is regarded as 
an important event in the Revolutionary War.
  The purpose of the trail study authorized by H.R. 1963 would be to 
determine whether portions of the route used in that campaign meet the 
criteria for designation as a national historic trail.
  Mr. Speaker, the George Rogers Clark Northwest Campaign Trail would 
commemorate a historic march and campaign. I support a trail study of 
this important event in American history. I commend the gentleman from 
Illinois (Mr. Costello) for his legislation, and I urge its passage by 
the House.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield as much time as he may consume to the gentleman 
from Illinois (Mr. Costello).
  Mr. COSTELLO. Mr. Speaker, I thank my friend for yielding me time.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 1963, legislation I 
introduced to authorize the study to include the path taken by George 
Rogers Clark into our National Trails System.
  George Rogers Clark was born in 1752, the second oldest of 10 
children and the older brother of William Clark of Lewis and Clark 
fame.

                              {time}  1315

  During the Revolutionary War in 1778, Clark led his troops from 
Redstone, Pennsylvania, to Kaskaskia, Illinois, which is in the 
Congressional District I am privileged to represent. They surprised 
Kaskaskia on the night of July 4, 1778, and occupied the fort and town 
without a single shot being fired. Clark offered the French settlers in 
Kaskaskia the privileges of American citizenship and won the support of 
the French in the region. He also won the neutrality of the Native 
Americans.
  This support was key as Clark led his troops on the final leg of 
their journey as they moved to overtake the British in Vincennes, 
Indiana. Banking on the element of surprise, Clark led his troops 
across what is now known as the State of Illinois, from Kaskaskia to 
Vincennes. The journey would normally take between 5 and 6 days, but 
because of the freezing flood waters, the journey took 18 days. At 
times in icy water up to their shoulders, it was

[[Page H708]]

Clark's determined leadership that led his men through this incredible 
midwinter journey.
  Once arriving in Vincennes on February 23, 1779, Clark and his men 
forced the British to surrender just 2 days later on February 25, 1779. 
As a result of Clark's outstanding military achievements, the British 
ceded a vast area of land to the United States, which is now Ohio, 
Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, Wisconsin, and a portion of Minnesota. His 
actions were paramount in the establishment of the upper Midwest.
  The designation of the George Rogers Clark Trail would pay homage to 
an American hero who is seldom recognized for his contributions in 
American history. The designation would also promote tourism in three 
of Illinois' State historic sites and draw visitors to retrace Clark's 
historic path. Tourism is a growing and very important industry in 
southern Illinois, and establishing a national trail would be highly 
beneficial to the region.
  Mr. Speaker, I strongly support this legislation and urge my 
colleagues to join me in authorizing a study to designate the route of 
George Rogers Clark during the Revolutionary War for potential addition 
to the National Trails System, and I thank the chairman of the 
committee and the ranking member for bringing this legislation to the 
floor today.
  Mr. HANSEN. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I 
yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. UNDERWOOD. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume 
to point out that our side pronounced the names correctly.
  Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I yield back 
the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Shimkus). The question is on the motion 
offered by the gentleman from Utah (Mr. Hansen) that the House suspend 
the rules and pass the bill, H.R. 1963.
  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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