[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 98 (Monday, July 24, 2006)]
[House]
[Pages H5585-H5586]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
AUTHORIZING ESTABLISHMENT OF COMMEMORATIVE WORK TO HONOR BRIGADIER
GENERAL FRANCIS MARION
Mr. WALDEN of Oregon. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and
pass the bill (H.R. 5057) to authorize the Marion Park Project and
Committee of the Palmetto Conservation Foundation to establish a
commemorative work on Federal land in the District of Columbia, and its
environs to honor Brigadier General Francis Marion, as amended.
The Clerk read as follows
H.R. 5057
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of
the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. COMMEMORATIVE WORK TO HONOR BRIGADIER GENERAL
FRANCIS MARION AND HIS FAMILY.
(a) Findings.--The Congress finds that:
(1) Francis Marion was born in 1732 in St. John's Parish,
Berkeley County, South Carolina. He married Mary Esther
Videau on April 20th, 1786. Francis and Mary Esther Marion
had no children, but raised a son of a relative as their own,
and gave the child Francis Marion's name.
(2) Brigadier General Marion commanded the Williamsburg
Militia Revolutionary force in South Carolina and was
instrumental in delaying the advance of British forces by
leading his troops in disrupting supply lines.
(3) Brigadier General Marion's tactics, which were unheard
of in rules of warfare at the time, included lightning raids
on British convoys, after which he and his forces would
retreat into the swamps to avoid capture. British Lieutenant
Colonel Tarleton stated that ``as for this damned old swamp
fox, the devil himself could not catch him''. Thus, the
legend of the ``Swamp Fox'' was born.
(4) His victory at the Battle of Eutaw Springs in September
of 1781 was officially recognized by Congress.
(5) Brigadier General Marion's troops are believed to be
the first racially integrated force fighting for the United
States, as his band was a mix of Whites, Blacks, both free
and slave, and Native Americans.
(6) As a statesman, he represented his parish in the South
Carolina senate as well as his State at the Constitutional
Convention.
(7) Although the Congress has authorized the establishment
of commemorative works on Federal lands in the District of
Columbia honoring such celebrated Americans as George
Washington, Thomas Jefferson, and Abraham Lincoln, the
National Capital has no comparable memorial to Brigadier
General Francis Marion for his bravery and leadership during
the Revolutionary War, without which the United States would
not exist.
(8) Brigadier General Marion's legacy must live on. At
present, and since 1878, United States Reservation 18 has
been officially referred to as Marion Park. Located between
4th and 6th Streets, S.E., at the intersection of E Street
and South Carolina Avenue, S.E., in Washington, DC, the park
lacks a formal commemoration to this South Carolina hero who
was important to the initiation of the Nation's heritage.
(9) The time has come to correct this oversight so that
future generations of Americans will know and understand the
preeminent historical and lasting significance to the Nation
of Brigadier General Marion's contributions. Such a South
Carolina hero deserves to be given the proper recognition.
(b) Authority to Establish Commemorative Work.--The Marion
Park Project, a committee of the Palmetto Conservation
Foundation, may establish a commemorative work on Federal
land in the District of Columbia and its environs to honor
Brigadier General Francis Marion and his service.
(c) Compliance With Standards for Commemorative Works.--The
commemorative work authorized by subsection (b) shall be
established in accordance with chapter 89 of title 40, United
States Code (commonly known as the Commemorative Works Act).
(d) Use of Federal Funds Prohibited.--Federal funds may not
be used to pay any expense of the establishment of the
commemorative work authorized by subsection (b). The Marion
Park Project, a committee of the Palmetto Conservation
Foundation, shall be solely responsible for acceptance of
contributions for, and payment of the expenses of, the
establishment of that commemorative work.
(e) Deposit of Excess Funds.--If, upon payment of all
expenses of the establishment of the commemorative work
authorized by subsection (b) (including the maintenance and
preservation amount provided for in section 8906(b) of title
40, United States Code), or upon expiration of the authority
for the commemorative work under chapter 89 of title 40,
United States Code, there remains a balance of funds received
for the establishment of that commemorative work, the Marion
Park Project, a committee of the Palmetto Conservation
Foundation, shall transmit the amount of the balance to the
Secretary of the Treasury for deposit in the account provided
for in section 8906(b)(1) of such title.
(f) Definitions.--For the purposes of this section, the
terms ``commemorative work'' and ``the District of Columbia
and its environs'' have the meanings given to such terms in
section 8902(a) of title 40, United States Code.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from
Oregon (Mr. Walden) and the gentlewoman from Guam (Ms. Bordallo) each
will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Oregon.
General Leave
Mr. WALDEN of Oregon. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all
Members may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks
and include extraneous material on the bill under consideration.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from Oregon?
There was no objection.
Mr. WALDEN of Oregon. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may
consume.
H.R. 5057 introduced by Congressman Joe Wilson of South Carolina
would authorize the Marion Park Project to establish a commemorative
work on Federal land in the District of Columbia to honor Brigadier
General Francis Marion. General Francis Marion, known as The Swamp Fox,
was a Revolutionary War officer from South Carolina. He led a band of
irregular fighters in the back- and low-country swamps of South
Carolina to fight the British troops under Lord Cornwallis. He is
generally credited as the father of guerilla warfare.
Marion Park in the District of Columbia is named after the famous
general; however, there is very little recognition of the man himself
at the park. The Marion Park Project was established in partnership
with the nonprofit Palmetto Conservation Foundation with the goal of
placing a monument to General Marion at the park. The group has
coordinated this effort with the National Park Service and is now
seeking authorization from Congress so the project may move forward. No
Federal funds will be authorized for the establishment of the
commemorative work, and the Marion Park Project will be responsible for
raising the funds.
Finally, I would like to recognize the work of our colleague,
Congressman Wilson, and the important contribution of Congressman Henry
Brown in bringing this legislation to this House floor today, and I
would urge my colleagues to support H.R. 5057.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Ms. BORDALLO. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
(Ms. BORDALLO asked and was given permission to revise and extend her
remarks.)
Ms. BORDALLO. General Francis Marion, also known as The Swamp Fox,
was a pivotal figure in the American Revolutionary War and is deserving
of commemoration here in our Nation's capital.
No Federal funds will be used for this memorial project; and the
design, the construction, and the maintenance will proceed pursuant to
the Commemorative Works Act. Furthermore, while this memorial will be
authorized for placement at a site here in Washington, DC, it will not
be on the National Mall.
We support passage of H.R. 5057. The bill was introduced by my good
friend from South Carolina, Congressman Joe Wilson.
Mr. WILSON of South Carolina. Mr. Speaker, I rise today as a
supporter and chief sponsor of H.R. 5057, the ``Brigadier General
Francis Marion Memorial Act.'' General Marion, more commonly known as
The Swamp Fox, was a renowned patriot who represented my State of South
Carolina and our fledgling Nation well with his brave service in the
Revolutionary War. As a South Carolinian, I am proud his legacy has
been honored with a memorial park here in Washington. This particularly
is meaningful to me as General Marion and I share the heritage of
French Hugenots who have contributed so much to American history. I am
grateful that a statue of the Swamp Fox will be erected on its premises
as an inspiration for our citizens. Passage of this bill is a crucial
first step in making this dream a reality.
I would specifically like to thank Ken Driggers and Nancy Stone-
Collum of the Palmetto Conservation Foundation, which serves as a
conduit for the fundraising part of this process. Additionally, I would
like to thank the South Carolina Humanities Council for supporting John
McCabe, the enthusiastic histories who originally had the vision to
honor the ``Swamp Fox.'' John created the Francis Marion Park Project
to assist in the fundraising
[[Page H5586]]
and planning efforts, and I cannot be more pleased with the progress
that has taken place. Also, the National Park Service deserves
recognition for their guidance through this important process.
The entire South Carolina delegation, as well as Chairman Richard
Pombo, have lent their support to this project. As such, I am confident
our efforts will be successful.
In conclusion, God bless our troops and we will never forget
September 11.
Mr. BROWN of South Carolina. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 5057 is an important
bill for my constituents in South Carolina's First Congressional
District.
General Francis Marion is an important part of the history of South
Carolina and the national forest bearing his name is located within my
Congressional District.
Francis Marion commanded the only Revolutionary force in South
Carolina and was instrumental in delaying the advance of British forces
by leading his troops in disrupting supply lines. General Marion's
tactics, which were unheard of in rules of warfare at this time,
commanded lightening raids on British convoys, and then he and his
forces would retreat into the swamps to avoid capture. British General
Tarleton stated that ``as for this damned old swamp fox, the devil
himself could not catch him.'' Thus, the legend of the ``Swamp Fox''
was born. His victory at the Battle of Eutaw Springs in September of
1771 was officially recognized by Congress.
H.R. 5057 seeks to authorize the Marion Park Project and the
Committee of the Palmetto Conservation Foundation to establish a statue
of General Francis Marion on Federal land in the District of Columbia
in Marion Park at no Federal Government expense.
I was proud to work with Resources Chairman Pombo and National Parks
Subcommittee Chairman Pearce to assist in the passage of this bill
through the committee not only for my constituents in South Carolina's
First District but for all South Carolinians.
I urge all of my colleagues to support H.R. 5057.
Ms. BORDALLO. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. WALDEN of Oregon. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my
time and encourage my colleagues to support this legislation.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the
gentleman from Oregon (Mr. Walden) that the House suspend the rules and
pass the bill, H.R. 5057, as amended.
The question was taken; and (two-thirds having voted in favor
thereof) the rules were suspended and the bill, as amended, was passed.
The title of the bill was amended so as to read: ``A bill to
authorize the Marion Park Project, a committee of the Palmetto
Conservation Foundation, to establish a commemorative work on Federal
land in the District of Columbia, and its environs to honor Brigadier
General Francis Marion.''.
A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.
____________________