[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 121 (Monday, September 25, 2006)]
[House]
[Pages H6949-H6950]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
RIVER RAISIN NATIONAL BATTLEFIELD STUDY ACT
Mr. PEARCE. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the
bill (H.R. 5132) to direct the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a
special resource study to determine the suitability and feasibility of
including in the National Park System certain sites in Monroe County,
Michigan, relating to the Battles of the River Raisin during the War of
1812, as amended.
The Clerk read as follows:
H.R. 5132
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of
the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``River Raisin National
Battlefield Study Act''.
SEC. 2. SPECIAL RESOURCE STUDY, MONROE COUNTY, MICHIGAN,
SITES RELATING TO BATTLES OF THE RIVER RAISIN.
(a) Study Required.--The Secretary of the Interior shall
conduct a special resource study of sites in Monroe County,
Michigan, relating to the Battles of the River Raisin on
January 18 and 22, 1813, and their aftermath to determine--
(1) the national significance of the sites; and
(2) the suitability and feasibility of including the sites
in the National Park System.
(b) Requirements.--The study conducted under subsection (a)
shall include the analysis and recommendations of the
Secretary on--
(1) the effect on Monroe County, Michigan, of including the
sites in the National Park System; and
(2) whether the sites could be included in an existing unit
of the National Park System.
(c) Consultation.--In conducting the study under subsection
(a), the Secretary shall consult with--
(1) appropriate Federal agencies and State and local
government entities; and
(2) interested groups and organizations.
(d) Applicable Law.--The study required under subsection
(a) shall be conducted in accordance with Public Law 91-383
(16 U.S.C. 1a-1 et seq.).
(e) Report.--Not later than three years after the date on
which funds are first made available for the study, the
Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Resources of the
House of Representatives and the Committee on Energy and
Natural Resources of the Senate a report containing--
(1) the findings of the study; and
(2) any conclusions and recommendations of the Secretary.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from New
Mexico (Mr. Pearce) and the gentlewoman from Guam (Ms. Bordallo) each
will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from New Mexico.
Mr. PEARCE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, H.R. 5132 directs the Secretary of the Interior to study
the feasibility and suitability of including certain lands related to
the Battle of the River Raisin during the War of 1812 in Monroe County,
Michigan, as part of the National Park System.
Currently, the main battlefield is occupied by an abandoned paper
mill. The city of Monroe has received a $1 million grant to clean up
the location in preparation for possible listing as a National Historic
Landmark. The National Park Service testified that there is intact
archaeological evidence of the battle and that this site has impressive
integrity as a battlefield if it is preserved.
I urge your support for H.R. 5132.
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. Mr. Speaker, while most Americans are aware of the
significance of the Revolutionary War or the Civil War, the importance
of the War of 1812 is not as widely understood.
The Dean of this House, Representative John Dingell, is to be
commended for his experience and effectiveness in bringing this
important legislation to the floor. It is always an honor to work with
Mr. Dingell, and we urge our colleagues to support H.R. 5132.
Mr. Speaker, it is now indeed my honor to yield as much time as he
may consume to the distinguished gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Dingell),
the Dean of this House and the sponsor of this legislation.
(Mr. DINGELL asked and was given permission to revise and extend his
remarks.)
Mr. DINGELL. Mr. Speaker, I intend to show my appreciation to the
distinguished gentlewoman by revising and extending my remarks and also
my respect and affection for the gentleman from New Mexico.
I rise to support the legislation. I urge the House to pass this
legislation. It was the bloodiest battle. It commemorates the bloodiest
battle in the history of Michigan, the bloodiest battle in the War of
1812, and the loss of 700 citizens and more, mostly from Kentucky, who
came to Michigan to save it from the British and the Indians. The end
result was that ``Remember the River Raisin'' became the battle cry in
the War of 1812.
Our work today, I want you to know, makes a very important
contribution to us remembering the history of Michigan, the history of
the War of 1812 and matters important, not just to my people in Monroe,
but to all of us.
I thank the gentleman from New Mexico and the distinguished
gentlewoman from Guam and my friend, chairman of the committee, Mr.
Pombo
Mr. Speaker, in six years our nation will mark the bicentennial of
the War of 1812. The War of 1812 is one of the least studied, but most
important episodes in our nation's history. Following the Revolutionary
War, America was a weak nation and was preyed upon by Britain, France
and Spain. Britain aimed to re-conquer the newly independent former
colonies.
The legislation we are considering here today will preserve one of
the most important stories of that war, the Battle of the River Raisin.
This legislation, quite simply, would direct the Secretary of the
Interior to study the suitability of including the site of the River
Raisin massacre into the National Park system.
The legislation already has support from the people of Monroe,
Michigan, our governor, historians, archeologists and the National Park
Service.
When the war broke out, it was expected that Britain would quickly
defeat the poorly equipped and poorly trained Americans. Washington was
burned, and British troops torched the Capitol.
Along the Western frontier, in what is today Michigan, Ohio and
Kentucky, the war raged. When Detroit fell to the British a contingent
of Kentuckians, under the direction of Gen. William Henry Harrison
marched to retake the city.
On January 18, 1813 American forces crossed the River Raisin and
attacked the British encampment on the other side. They forced the
British to retreat. Four days later, British forces and their Native
American allies counter-attacked. The Americans were routed.
When the British withdrew, they took with them any American who could
travel as a prisoner. The injured were left. The next day, the Native
allies returned and massacred the Americans and burned the surrounding
town to the ground.
Of the 900 strong American force only 33 escaped death or capture.
Throughout the American Army the cry ``Remember the Raisin'' rallied
our troops. Soon thereafter, spurred by the memory of the Raisin, the
Americans liberated Detroit and won the decisive Battle of the Thames
in Ontario--guaranteeing America's victory in the war.
[[Page H6950]]
The River Raisin Battle is still the bloodiest battle ever in
Michigan, and was the most violent battle on continental U.S. soil
outside of the Civil War. It is an important episode in American
history that needs to be recognized.
Since 1813, the site of the battle and massacre has been encroached
upon increasingly by the town of Monroe. What was once a small farming
settlement is now a bustling city.
Homes have been built where the American soldiers crossed the river.
A factory, at one time, operated on the site; buildings were built and
later torn down. Now, most of the land where the battle took place is
in the possession of the City of Monroe and they want to make sure that
it is protected for all Americans to visit.
The State of Michigan has provided $1 million for Brownfield
redevelopment and rehabilitation of the site. The City of Monroe and
the Monroe County Historical Society have each pledged $35,000 for the
creation of a master plan for the entire battlefield site, and they
will soon be applying for a Battlefield Protection Grant through the
National Park Service.
A citizens' group has also formed to guide the development of the
battlefield, raise funds for historic preservation and develop
educational programs.
I am confident that the energy and commitment of the community would
make this a wise inclusion into our National Park system.
I can think of no better way to honor the hundreds who gave their
lives at the River Raisin than to make the site a permanent memorial to
their bravery and sacrifice.
We need to do this in order to protect an important piece of our
Nation's heritage.
Ms. BORDALLO. Mr. Speaker, I have no further speakers, and I yield
back my time.
Mr. PEARCE. Mr. Speaker, I have no additional speakers, and I yield
back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the
gentleman from New Mexico (Mr. Pearce) that the House suspend the rules
and pass the bill, H.R. 5132, 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.
A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.
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