[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.

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