[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 37 (Monday, March 5, 2007)]
[House]
[Pages H2136-H2137]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
BRIGADIER GENERAL FRANCIS MARION MEMORIAL ACT OF 2007
Mr. GRIJALVA. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the
bill (H.R. 497) 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.
The Clerk read as follows:
H.R. 497
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 ``Brigadier General Francis
Marion Memorial Act of 2007''.
SEC. 2. 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. 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
Arizona (Mr. Grijalva) and the gentleman from Utah (Mr. Bishop) each
will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Arizona.
General Leave
Mr. GRIJALVA. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members
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 Arizona?
There was no objection.
Mr. GRIJALVA. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, Brigadier General Francis Marion commanded the
Williamsburg Militia Revolutionary Force in South Carolina during the
Revolutionary War.
He is distinguished for his innovative warfare techniques, his
pivotal victory at Eutaw Springs in September 1781, and for his
commanding the first racially integrated troop force. General Marion is
perhaps even better known by the nickname given to him by an
exasperated British commander, the Swamp Fox.
H.R. 497, introduced by Representative Joe Wilson, would authorize a
private entity, the Marion Park Project, to establish a commemorative
work in Washington, D.C., to honor General Marion. The memorial is to
be established pursuant to the Commemorative Works Act and is to be
privately funded.
Mr. Speaker, the House approved identical legislation in the last
Congress, and we strongly support H.R. 497 today.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. BISHOP of Utah. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may
consume, and I rise to support H.R. 497.
H.R. 497, introduced by Congressman Joe Wilson of South Carolina,
would
[[Page H2137]]
authorize the Marion Park Project to establish a commemorative work on
Federal land in the District of Columbia to honor Brigadier General
Francis Marion.
The work authorized by this legislation will be completed with
private funds provided by the Marion Park Project and not by the
Federal Government. Congressman Joe Wilson and Congressman Henry Brown
should be commended for sending us such an outstanding bill.
I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 497.
Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to yield as much time as he may consume for
this wonderful project honoring General Francis Marion, better known as
the Swamp Fox in the Revolutionary War, to the distinguished gentleman
from South Carolina (Mr. Brown).
Mr. BROWN of South Carolina. I certainly thank my good friend for
yielding.
Mr. Speaker, H.R. 497 is an important bill for my constituents in
South Carolina's First Congressional District. I thank my colleague and
friend Congressman Joe Wilson for introducing this important piece of
legislation.
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 war at this time, commanded
lightning 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 1781 was officially recognized by Congress.
H.R. 497 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 lands in D.C. in Marion Park at no
Federal Government expense.
I was proud to work with Natural Resources Chairman Nick Rahall and
Ranking Republican Don Young to assist in the passage of this bill for
my constituents of South Carolina's First Congressional District and
for all of South Carolina, and I urge my colleagues to support H.R.
497.
Mr. GRIJALVA. Mr. Speaker, I reserve my time.
Mr. BISHOP of Utah. Mr. Speaker, anything that deals with some place
called Eutaw Springs in South Carolina has to be a good project. I
yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. GRIJALVA. Mr. Speaker, let me thank Congressman Wilson for this
legislation, Mr. Brown as well, Mr. Clyburn, Mr. Spratt and Mr. Barrett
from South Carolina for introducing the bill that we have just
finished.
I also want to, before I yield back, thank the gentleman from Utah,
the ranking member, for assisting in bringing the pieces of legislation
we had today forward.
Mr. WILSON of South Carolina. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased we are today
considering the ``Brigadier General Francis Marion Memorial Act''. It
is with the support of the entire South Carolina delegation that I
reintroduced this legislation in January.
Brigadier General Francis Marion well represented the State of South
Carolina and our fledgling Nation with his brave service in the
Revolutionary War. As a South Carolinian, I am proud his legacy has
been honored with a memorial park in Washington, DC. Yet, I feel
strongly that a statue of the ``Swamp Fox'' should be erected on its
premises. 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. Additionally, I would
like to thank the South Carolina Humanities Council for supporting John
McCabe, the historian who originally had the vision to honor the
``Swamp Fox.'' John created the Francis Marion Park Project to assist
with fundraising and planning once this bill is enacted. The National
Park Service also deserves recognition for their guidance through this
important process.
The House of Representatives originally passed this bill in the 109th
Congress, yet it failed to be considered by the Senate. It is my hope
we can enact this legislation during the 110th Congress and erect a
memorial befitting General Marion.
Today I was presented a copy of The South Carolina Encyclopedia,
edited by the noted historian Walter Edgar. The book is a project of
The Humanities Council, ably led by Director Randy Akers. Presenting
the book was Bob Hazel of West Columbia who is former Council Board
Chair who was elected to the board of the Federation of State
Humanities Councils. South Carolina was the site of more battles and
skirmishes than any other province during the American Revolution.
General Francis Marion is a significant entry in the encyclopedia
with highlights beginning on page 591:
Marion, Francis (1732-1792). Soldier. Marion, of Huguenot
descent, was born in St. John's Berkley Parish, the youngest
of six children born to Gabriel Marion and Esther Cordes. A
planter, Marion in 1773 built his home, Pond Bluff, about
four miles south of Eutaw Springs, a site now beneath the
waters of Lake Marion. He commenced his military career in
the parish militia in 1756 and joined the campaigns against
the Cherokees (1759-1761), rising to the rank of first
lieutenant. Having served in local offices, he was elected in
1775 to the First Provincial Congress. Commissioned a captain
in the state's Second Regiment in June, he participated in
the capture of Fort Johnson in September. As a major, Marion
distinguished himself at the Battle of Sullivan's Island
(June 1776), after which he was commissioned a lieutenant
colonel in the Continental army.
With a militia commission as a brigadier general, Marion
organized a partisan force in the Pee Dee region. Between
August and December 1780, in an otherwise dismal period for
America, Marion gained national recognition for his actions
at the Great Savannah (August 20), Blue Savannah (September
4), Black Mingo (September 29), Tearcoat Swamp (October 26),
Georgetown (November 15), and Halfway Swamp (December 12-13).
While some counts place the number of ``Marion's Men'' at
more than two thousand, his band generally consisted of
considerably fewer than that and included Continentals.
Marion's nickname, the ``Swamp Fox,'' reportedly came from
the infamous British officer Banastre Tarleton, who,
unable to snare Marion, called him a ``damned old fox''
and swore that ``the devil himself could not catch him.''
Marion's small-scale hit-and-run tactics disrupted supply
lines, intercepted communications, and hampered the enemy
considerably. In December 1780 he established a camp on
Snow's Island between Pee Dee and Lynches Rivers and Clark's
Creek. Conditions improved by the spring of 1781, when Marion
became a vital part of General Nathanael Greene's combined
operations in South Carolina. In 1781 Marion's troops
participated in the battles at Fort Watson (April 23), Fort
Motte (May 12), Quinby Bridge (July 17), Parker's Ferry
(August 13) and Eutaw Springs (September 8).
After a penniless Marion, whose plantation had been ruined,
was awarded a gold medal, a full Continental colonelcy, and
command of Fort Johnson in Charleston harbor. He served in
the S.C. Senate in 1783-1786, 1791, and 1792-1794 and was
elected to the 1790 state constitutional convention.
I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 497.
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 Arizona (Mr. Grijalva) that the House suspend the rules
and pass the bill, H.R. 497.
The question was taken.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds
being in the affirmative, the ayes have it.
Mr. GRIJALVA. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.
The yeas and nays were ordered.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX and the
Chair's prior announcement, further proceedings on this question will
be postponed.
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