[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 51 (Tuesday, April 30, 2002)]
[House]
[Pages H1698-H1699]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
RECOGNIZING THE HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE OF THE AQUIA SANDSTONE QUARRIES
OF STAFFORD COUNTY, VIRGINIA TO CONSTRUCTION OF CAPITAL OF THE UNITED
STATES
Mr. HANSEN. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the
resolution (H. Res. 261) recognizing the historical significance of the
Aquia sandstone quarries of Government Island in Stafford County,
Virginia, for their contributions to the construction of the Capital of
the United States.
The Clerk read as follows:
H. Res. 261
Whereas the First Congress passed the Residence Act
authorizing the establishment of a Federal Capital as the
seat of Government of the new Republic;
Whereas President George Washington, acting under the
authority of the Residence Act, selected the present site of
the District of Columbia as the new Federal Capital and seat
of government;
Whereas President Washington, aided by then Secretary of
State Thomas Jefferson, took personal charge of the plans for
the development of the new seat of government;
Whereas President Washington decided that the public
buildings of the new capital city should be faced in stone so
that these buildings would equal or exceed in beauty the
buildings of the established capitals of Europe and promote
permanence and majesty on the Potomac;
Whereas President Washington, a boyhood resident of
Stafford County, Virginia, recommended that the freestone
quarries on Aquia Creek in Stafford County be purchased by
the Commissioners of Public Buildings as stone quarries for
the public buildings of the District of Columbia, a
recommendation acted on by Pierre L'Enfant, the planner of
the new capital city;
Whereas the new quarries, later named Government Island,
became the major source of building stone for the Capitol,
the White House, and numerous other public buildings in the
District of Columbia;
Whereas there exists substantial evidence of 18th and 19th
century stone cutting and quarrying techniques on Government
Island, and this physical evidence sheds light on a valuable
and informative chapter in the development of the United
States Capital; and
Whereas the Board of Supervisors and residents of Stafford
County, Virginia, have undertaken action to preserve
Government Island for posterity and to make it available for
the education and enlightenment of the public: Now,
therefore, be it
Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
(1) recognizes the national historical significance of the
Aquia sandstone quarries of Government Island in Stafford
County, Virginia, for their substantial contribution to the
construction of the new Capital of the United States under
the direction of President George Washington; and
(2) commends the Board of Supervisors and residents of
Stafford County, Virginia, for their efforts to preserve
Government Island and to make it available for visitation by
the public.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from
Utah (Mr. Hansen) and the gentlewoman from the Virgin Islands (Mrs.
Christensen) 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. 261, introduced by the gentlewoman from Virginia
(Mrs. Jo Ann Davis), would recognize the historical significance of the
Aquia sandstone quarries of Government Island in Stafford County,
Virginia, for their contribution for the construction of our Nation's
Capital city.
The stone, selected by our first President, George Washington, was
used to build the Capitol, the White House, and numerous other Federal
buildings in the District of Columbia.
This stone was wisely selected by our first President in an effort to
ensure that this Nation's Capital would be
[[Page H1699]]
every bit as elegant and stately as the capital cities of Europe.
The resolution also recognized the great efforts of the residents of
Stafford County to protect Government Island and to safeguard the
history surrounding this important contribution to our Nation's
Capital.
I commend my colleague, the gentlewoman from Virginia (Mrs. Jo Ann
Davis), for her excellent efforts in introducing this legislation. I
urge my colleagues to support its passage.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mrs. CHRISTENSEN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I might
consume.
Mr. Speaker, this House Resolution recognizes, as you have heard, the
historical significance of the Aquia sandstone quarries of Government
Island in Stafford County, Virginia, for their contributions to the
construction of the Capital of the United States and commend the
Stafford County commissioners and local residents for their efforts to
preserve the quarries.
The stone from these particular quarries dates back to the late 17th
century and was chosen by then President George Washington for use at
Mt. Vernon as well as the construction of the U.S. Capitol, the White
House, the original Treasury building, the Patent office, and the
earliest locks and bridges of the C&O Canal.
Over time, the quarries were exhausted and the site has since been
through a number of private hands and has entered in and out of public
ownership.
We support this resolution commending the local community for their
latest efforts to preserve this interesting area.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. HANSEN. Mr. Speaker, I yield as much time as she may consume to
the gentlewoman from Virginia (Mrs. Jo Ann Davis), the author of this
legislation.
(Mrs. JO ANN DAVIS asked and was given permission to revise and
extend her remarks.)
Mrs. JO ANN DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I thank the chairman for
yielding me time.
Mr. Speaker, I am very proud of the many historically significant
contributions the Commonwealth of Virginia has offered this great
Nation. Virginia has given America eight of its distinguished men to
the Office of Presidency, three of whom were born in the first district
that I represent, and countless other elected officials, military
heroes and active citizens to the cause of freedom and democracy.
Today, I rise to pay a specific tribute to the Aquia quarries of
Government Island in Stafford, Virginia, for their contributions to the
construction of our Nation's Capitol building and the White House,
among many other prominent structures.
As our forefathers struggled to create a nation through a Declaration
of Independence and an enduring revolution, they sought to express
permanency in their new-found freedom. Led by Virginia native George
Washington, America began to plan a city that would dignify the
grandeur of the new United States of America. They chose the land
situated geographically centered in the new Nation up the Potomac River
and to the top of what was known as Jenkin's Hill, a place Pierre
Charles L'Enfant, the city's planner called ``a pedestal waiting for a
monument.''
{time} 1445
I could not agree more. Our Capitol has survived over 200 years,
through the War of 1812, the Civil War, and more recently, the building
was a suspected target of the recent horrific terrorist attack on our
country. This building has grown and matured into the great symbol of
America. The freedoms that we hold so dear and recent events have only
hardened my deep fondness for our Capitol and what it represents.
Although little known, the north section of the north wing of the
Capitol and the White House were constructed of Aquia sandstone
quarried from Government Island and along the Aquia Creek in Stafford
County, Virginia; another proud Virginia contribution.
Stafford County's board of supervisors, County Administrator C.M.
Williams, county historian Jane Conner, and the county's citizens
should be commended for making the preservation of this island a
priority. Their good work will ensure that this area is preserved for
future generations to explore and enjoy.
I ask my colleagues to join me today in support of this resolution to
honor the enduring construction of this building, the cornerstone of
our democracy, and all that it represents.
I would like to thank the entire Virginia delegation for cosponsoring
this House resolution commemorating the United States Capitol and the
White House, highlighting their humble Virginia beginnings.
Additionally, I would like to thank the Committee on Resources
chairman, the gentleman from Utah (Mr. Hansen) and the gentleman from
West Virginia (Mr. Rahall), the ranking member, and the Subcommittee on
National Parks, Recreation and Public Lands for moving this important
Virginia initiative.
I again encourage my colleagues' support.
Mrs. CHRISTENSEN. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. HANSEN. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I
yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Culberson). The question is on the
motion offered by the gentleman from Utah (Mr. Hansen) that the House
suspend the rules and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 261.
The question was taken; and (two-thirds having voted in favor
thereof) the rules were suspended and the resolution was agreed to.
A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.
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