[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 79 (Tuesday, June 8, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1065-E1066]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 COMMEMORATING THE 250TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE FRENCH AND INDIAN WAR AND 
                    THE KICK-OFF OF THE CELEBRATION

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JOHN P. MURTHA

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 8, 2004

  Mr. MURTHA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 250th 
anniversary of the French and Indian War and the commemorative 
activities planned to revisit this important time in our Country's 
history.
  As a former soldier, I believe that remembering and recognizing the 
bravery and courage of those who fought before us is essential to 
keeping history alive and fully appreciating the freedom we now enjoy. 
Today, our troops are faced with the conflict in Iraq. As we 
commemorate the 250th anniversary of the French and Indian War, let us 
remember that it is through the bravery of the young men in Iraq that 
there will be a new country, new government, and new opportunities, 
much like the result of the French and Indian War 250 years ago.
  Beginning in 1754, the French and Indian War changed everything. The 
political climate during and after the war directly resulted in the 
American Revolution and the creation of the United States as an 
independent nation. The war also gave America its first introduction to 
George Washington, the beginning of a friendship that would help to 
build this great Nation.
  Laura Fisher, the Executive Director of the French and Indian War 
250, Inc., along with former Pennsylvania First Lady Michele Ridge, 
National Co-Chair of the French and Indian War Advisory Committee, and 
Chuck Queenan, Chairman of the Board of the French and Indian War 250, 
Inc., have helped to build the national commemoration of the French and 
Indian War from a regional event to a multi-state initiative that spans 
a twenty-state area from Maine to South Carolina.
  Official commemoration activities began in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, 
April 16-18, 2004, at the historic Point Park. The Point was the site 
of Fort Duquesne, later Fort Pitt, and one of the most sought after 
locations thanks to the accessibility of the Ohio, Allegheny, and 
Monongahela Rivers.
  The next several years will commemorate the anniversary through 
large-scale re-enactments at historic sites, exhibitions of rare 
historical artifacts, educational symposia and a major public 
television series, and I encourage my colleagues and their constituents 
to participate in remembering some of the most important milestones and 
sacrifices made leading to America's founding.
  The National Governor's Association meeting held recently in 
Washington, D.C., was a great victory for the French and Indian War 
250th Anniversary as several of the nation's governors reaffirmed their 
support of the importance of the commemoration by signing their name to 
the French and Indian War Memorandum of Understanding. I applaud 
Governor Ed Rendell of my state of Pennsylvania, and all the Governors 
who have pledged their continued commitment to developing programs to 
attract and educate visitors about the rich heritage and contribution 
that each state made during this era of conflict.
  Governors who signed the Memorandum of Understanding have pledged to 
continue working to create French and Indian War trails, new marketing 
strategies to inform the public of this exciting initiative and 
educational programs to aid teachers in the classroom.
  In commemoration of the French and Indian War's 250th anniversary 
celebration and the Memorandum of Understanding regarding the 
importance of this celebration and the importance of recognizing the 
sacrifices made in battle, I respectfully request that the French and 
Indian War Memorandum of Understanding be printed in the Congressional 
Record. I thank the Speaker and I yield the floor.
  Memorandum of understanding between the State of Connecticut, the 
State of Delaware, the State of Illinois, the State of Indiana, the 
State of Maine, the State of Maryland, the Commonwealth of 
Massachusetts, the State of Michigan, the State of New Hampshire, the 
State of New Jersey, the State of New York, the State of North 
Carolina, the State of Ohio, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, the 
State of Rhode Island, the State of South Carolina, the State of 
Tennessee, the State of Vermont, the Commonwealth of Virginia, the 
State of West Virginia, and War for Empire, Inc d/b/a French and Indian 
War 250, Inc.
  The following represents an understanding between the State of 
Connecticut, the State of Delaware, the State of Illinois, the State of 
Indiana, the State of Maine, the State of Maryland, the Commonwealth of 
Massachusetts, the State of Michigan, the State of New Hampshire, the 
State of New Jersey, the State of New York, the State of North 
Carolina, the State of Ohio, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, the 
State of Rhode Island, the State of South Carolina, the State of 
Tennessee, the State of Vermont, the Commonwealth of Virginia, the 
State of West Virginia (hereinafter ``the States'') and War for Empire, 
Inc., d/b/a French and Indian War 250, Inc. (hereinafter ``French and 
Indian War 250'').
  Whereas, the States represent the geographical area in which the 
French and Indian War historical sites are located and French and 
Indian War 250 represents the official commemoration of the 250th 
anniversary of the French and Indian War.
  Whereas, the 250th anniversary of the French and Indian War is fast 
approaching, spanning the years from 2004 to 2010, and the opportunity 
exists to connect the unparalleled collection of historic sites in 
these States.
  Whereas, by developing a common storyline, educational materials and 
marketing strategies, these important, but mostly rural, sites in the 
States will be given new visibility.
  Wheareas, the occasion of this major anniversary will serve as a 
springboard in the States for tourism, education and economic 
development as we develop new programs and projects to attract 
visitors, educate the general public about the lasting importance of 
this conflict, and elevate this regional story to national prominence.
  Whereas, commemorative plans revolve around four basic goals: to 
improve and connect the battle sites, both regionally and nationally; 
to create programming to attract visitors and educate the public; to 
stage commemorative events nationwide over the life of

[[Page E1066]]

the anniversary period; and to elevate the visibility and significance 
of the commemoration.
  Whereas, connecting battle sites, located in the States, from the 
spread of the war through southwestern Pennsylvania to its neighboring 
colonies and related sites from Pontiac's Rebellion, which occurred on 
the frontier as the immediate aftermath of the war, gives greater 
context for a new understanding of the critical role played in this era 
by Native American nations.
  Whereas, the States' large network of battle sites from the French 
and Indian War can offer visitors a living historical storyline. The 
National Park Service has already begun programmatic efforts at several 
sites, including the well-known national battlefield Fort Necessity, 
and is supportive of the efforts to link these activities to the French 
and Indian War commemoration.
  Whereas, it is important to translate the story into specific exhibit 
and public presentation strategies, including development of a shared 
logo, brochures and marketing plans to reach new audiences with 
targeted and effective messaging.
  Whereas, a major centerpiece of the celebration will be a four-hour 
public television special, aimed at a broad general audience and aired 
as a national prime time television event. The reach and lasting effect 
of this national television event can be extended with cutting-edge 
technological tools to reach teachers and students nationwide with 
curricula and other related materials.
  Whereas, Parkman Prize winning historian Fred Anderson is authoring 
an heavily illustrated popular book based on the film, which will also 
encourage new interest in the States' sites.
  Whereas, the States will enjoy tourism opportunities through regional 
and multi-state tour and thematic guides that will be distributed at 
the 40-plus National Park Service Revolutionary War/18th century sites. 
Also, a new national French and Indian War thematic trail will be 
developed, linking the States and their sites.
  Whereas, a national calendar of commemorations, reenactments and 
public programming in the States will generate and sustain interest for 
the life of the anniversary period. A national media strategy will be 
developed, including a press tour, to reach diverse markets.
  Now therefore, the States and French and Indian War 250 have 
established a working relationship and agree in good faith to work 
together to focus on the commemoration of the 250th anniversary of the 
French and Indian War and commence the aforementioned activities as of 
February 22, 2004 and continue these activities until 2010 or 
terminated by any party.
  In witness whereof, the State of Connecticut, the State of Delaware, 
the State of Illinois, the State of Indiana, the State of Maine, the 
State of Maryland, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, the State of 
Michigan, the State of New Hampshire, the State of New Jersey, the 
State of New York, the State of North Carolina, the State of Ohio, the 
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, the State of Rhode Island, the State of 
South Carolina, the State of Tennessee, the State of Vermont, the 
Commonwealth of Virginia, the State of West Virginia and French and 
Indian War 250 have evidenced their good faith intent of the 
undersigned to work toward the goals herein enumerated.

                          ____________________