[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 80 (Tuesday, June 20, 2006)]
[House]
[Pages H4233-H4234]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




HONORING AND PRAISING THE NATIONAL SOCIETY OF THE SONS OF THE AMERICAN 
                               REVOLUTION

  Mr. SENSENBRENNER. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree 
to the concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 367) honoring and praising 
the National Society of the Sons of the American Revolution on the 
100th anniversary of being granted its Congressional Charter.
  The Clerk read as follows:

                            H. Con. Res. 367

       Whereas the National Society of the Sons of the American 
     Revolution (in this resolution referred to as the ``SAR'') 
     was founded on April 30, 1889, and chartered by Congress 100 
     years ago on June 9, 1906;
       Whereas the Charter was signed by Theodore Roosevelt, 
     himself a member of the SAR;
       Whereas the SAR was conceived as a fraternal and civic 
     society composed of lineal descendants of the men who 
     wintered at Valley Forge, signed the Declaration of 
     Independence, fought in the battles of the American 
     Revolution, served in the Continental Congress, or otherwise 
     supported the cause of American Independence;
       Whereas 16 American Presidents have been proud members of 
     the SAR;
       Whereas the Charter of National Society of the Sons of the 
     American Revolution describes the objects and purposes of the 
     Society as ``. . . patriotic, historical and educational'' 
     and that it is charged with perpetuating the memory of the 
     men who, by their services or sacrifices during the war of 
     the American Revolution, achieved the independence of the 
     American people;
       Whereas the Society is also dedicated to inspiring its 
     members and the community at large with a more profound 
     reference for the principles of the Government founded by our 
     forefathers and to encourage historical research about the 
     American Revolution;
       Whereas the SAR has a long record of accomplishments in 
     teaching about the Revolutionary War and those who gained our 
     freedom during the War for Independence;
       Whereas it is largely through efforts by the SAR in the 
     late 1800s and early 1900s that the National Archives were 
     established to gather the records of the men who fought and 
     provided services during the Revolutionary War;
       Whereas the SAR advances its mission through commemorations 
     of battles and events that led to our freedom;
       Whereas the SAR devotes a great deal of its time, energy, 
     and resources to working with children so that they might 
     have a better understanding of the history of the United 
     States;
       Whereas the SAR is currently working to establish a Center 
     for Advancing America's Heritage adjacent to its national 
     headquarters in Louisville, Kentucky; and
       Whereas the SAR's almost 27,000 members are organized in 
     Chapters throughout the 50 States and the District of 
     Columbia and in several countries overseas that helped the 
     American Colonies gain their freedom: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate 
     concurring), That the Congress--
       (1) recognizes the 100th anniversary of the historic 
     Congressional Charter of the National Society of the Sons of 
     the American Revolution; and
       (2) honors and praises the National Society of the Sons of 
     the American Revolution on the occasion of its anniversary 
     for its work to perpetuate and honor the memory of the brave 
     men who fought to gain our freedom during the Revolutionary 
     War and for the Society's unfailing devotion to our Nation's 
     youth.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Wisconsin (Mr. Sensenbrenner) and the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. 
Scott) each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Wisconsin.


                             General Leave

  Mr. SENSENBRENNER. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all 
Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend 
their remarks and include extraneous material on House Concurrent 
Resolution 367 currently under consideration.

[[Page H4234]]

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Wisconsin?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. SENSENBRENNER. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H. Con. Res. 367, honoring and 
praising the National Society of the Sons of the American Revolution on 
the 100th anniversary of being granted its Congressional Charter.
  As the Declaration of Independence states, governments are instituted 
among men to secure the inalienable rights that the Creator has endowed 
upon us. Because the bonds of tyranny over the United Colonies were 
destructive of this end, the United Colonies sought separation from 
Great Britain and fought to attain their freedom and independence.
  The National Society of the Sons of the American Revolution, or the 
SAR, was formed by descendants of patriots of the American Revolution 
who sought a fraternal and civic society to salute those who pledged 
their lives, fortunes, and sacred honor in America's battle for 
independence from the British Crown.
  Today, we honor the SAR, which was founded on April 30, 1899, and 
chartered by Congress 100 years ago on June 9, 1906. The SAR is 
composed of lineal descendants of the men who wintered at Valley Forge, 
signed the Declaration of Independence, fought in the battles of the 
American Revolution, served in the Continental Congress, or otherwise 
supported the cause of American independence.
  The SAR is a historic, patriotic, and educational organization. In 
keeping with its historical mission, the SAR commemorates and provides 
memorials for the people and events of the American Revolution, helps 
preserve records relating to the events leading up to and during the 
revolution, and supports research and presentations related to the 
history and people of the revolutionary era.
  In fulfilling its patriotic mission, the SAR reaffirms the principles 
upon which our Nation was founded, maintains and extends the 
institutions of American freedom, provides recognition for public 
service, and honors, respects, and supports veterans.

                              {time}  1230

  Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this resolution to honor 
the SAR for its important work to preserve the legacy of these fallen 
heroes.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H. Con. Res. 367 honoring and 
praising the National Society of the Sons of the American Revolution on 
the 100th anniversary of being granted its Congressional Charter.
  The National Society of the Sons of the American Revolution was 
chartered by Congress 100 years ago on June 9, 1906. The charter was 
signed by Theodore Roosevelt, who was a member. The resolution, which 
is sponsored by the distinguished gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. 
Coble), recognizes this anniversary and honors and praises the National 
Society of the Sons of the American Revolution on the occasion of this 
anniversary for its work to perpetuate and honor the memory of the 
brave men who fought to gain freedom during the American Revolution and 
for the society's unfailing devotion to our Nation's youth.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the resolution and urge my 
colleagues to support it.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. SENSENBRENNER. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. Sensenbrenner) that the House suspend the 
rules and agree to the concurrent resolution, H. Con. Res. 367.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds having voted in favor 
thereof) the rules were suspended and the concurrent resolution was 
agreed to.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

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