[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 24 (Thursday, March 7, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E301]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[[Page E301]]
 DESIGNATION OF GEORGE ROGERS CLARK NORTHWEST CAMPAIGN TRAIL FOR STUDY 
          FOR POTENTIAL ADDITION TO THE NATIONAL TRAILS SYSTEM

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                           HON. BARON P. HILL

                               of indiana

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, March 6, 2002

  Mr. HILL. Mr. Speaker, I rise to support H.R. 1963 and note that a 
George Rogers Clark Northwest Campaign Trail would not be complete 
without the inclusion of Clarksville, Indiana and the surrounding Falls 
of the Ohio area.
  George Rogers Clark and his troops arrived at the Falls of the Ohio 
in late May of 1778, where they took possession of Corn Island. It was 
here that Clark trained his troops and first told them of a secret plan 
to attack British forts in the Illinois country. On June 24, 1778, 
Clark and his troops left the Falls to begin the Illinois campaign to 
take Kaskaskia, Cahokia and Vincennes.
  Indiana takes great pride in General George Rogers Clark. State law 
directs the Governor to proclaim each February 25 as ``George Rogers 
Clark Day'' to mark the anniversary of the surrender of Fort Sackville 
at Vincennes. Not only did this great victory occur on what would later 
become part of Indiana, but General Clark and his men were granted 
150,000 acres of land for their service by the state of Virginia in 
what is now Clark and Floyd counties, Indiana. One thousand acres 
overlooking the Falls of the Ohio River became Clarksville, Indiana. 
General Clark lived in Clarksville from 1803 to 1809.
  Just recently, through a grant from the Ogle Foundation and 
individual contributions from community members, a representation cabin 
was placed on the site where Clark's original cabin overlooked the 
Falls of the Ohio. The significance of this site goes beyond General 
Clark. In 1803, Meriwether Lewis met General Clark's younger brother, 
William at the cabin to plan the Lewis and Clark Expedition.
  I applaud Mr. Costello of Illinois for bringing forward this 
legislation because George Rogers Clark is a largely forgotten hero of 
the American revolution. He has been overshadowed by the success of his 
younger brother, William. Yet, through the sheer force of his 
personality, General Clark motivated his men to endure great hardship 
and do the impossible. His vision and leadership is credited by 
historians with assuring America's control of what later became the 
Northwest Territory.
  I look forward to the establishment of the George Rogers Clark 
Northwest Campaign Trail and invite every American to visit the Falls 
of the Ohio to learn more about this important chapter of our nation's 
history.

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