[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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