[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 133 (Monday, September 21, 2009)]
[Senate]
[Pages S9590-S9591]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         SUBMITTED RESOLUTIONS

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SENATE RESOLUTION 275--HONORING THE MINUTE MAN NATIONAL HISTORICAL PARK 
                ON THE OCCASION OF ITS 50TH ANNIVERSARY

  Mr. KERRY submitted the following resolution; which was referred to 
the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources:

                              S. Res. 275

       Whereas, since September 21, 1959, Minute Man National 
     Historical Park has preserved key sites where the first 
     battles of the American Revolutionary War occurred, and 
     educated millions of people in the United States about the 
     extraordinary events that led to the birth of the United 
     States and the ideals embodied in the courageous actions that 
     led to such events;
       Whereas Minute Man National Historical Park encompasses 
     more than 1,000 acres in the historic communities of 
     Lexington, Lincoln, and Concord that were at the center of 
     the American Revolution;
       Whereas the events, places, and people recognized by the 
     Minute Man National Historical Park have become enduring 
     testaments to the values of the people of the United States 
     and are among the most celebrated and cherished symbols in 
     the history of the United States;
       Whereas the Minute Man National Historical Park includes 
     multiple sites and vistas along the route from Boston to 
     Concord, known as the ``Battle Road'', where American militia 
     and British soldiers fought several times on April 19, 1775;
       Whereas American militia were first ordered to return 
     British fire at Concord's North Bridge, a heroic action 
     commemorated by the United States poet Ralph Waldo Emerson in 
     his poem ``The Concord Hymn'' as the ``shot heard round the 
     world'';
       Whereas the park celebrates the legendary ``midnight ride'' 
     of Paul Revere on April 18, 1775, that warned American 
     colonists that British soldiers were marching to Concord to 
     destroy key military stores; and
       Whereas more than 1,000,000 people from States across the 
     United States and from around the world visit Minute Man 
     National Historical Park each year to learn about the role 
     that the New England communities of Lexington, Lincoln, and 
     Concord played in the American Revolution: Now, therefore, be 
     it
       Resolved, that it is the sense of the Senate that--
       (1) Minute Man National Historical Park serves an essential 
     role in preserving the sites and vistas in New England where 
     the American Revolution began and in educating the public 
     about these historic events;
       (2) Minute Man National Historical Park honors and 
     commemorates the ideals of democracy, liberty, and freedom 
     that are the foundation of the United States and sources of 
     inspiration for people everywhere; and
       (3) the creation of Minute Man National Historical Park 50 
     years ago represents a remarkable achievement that continues 
     to benefit the people of the United States, to preserve the 
     proud legacy of the American Revolution, and to serve as an 
     enduring resource for future generations.

  Mr. KERRY. Mr. President, I am pleased to submit a resolution to 
honor the 50th Anniversary of the Minute Man National Historical Park. 
Since September 21, 1959, the Minute Man National Historical Park has 
preserved landmarks from the earliest days of the American 
Revolutionary War. It has educated millions of visitors from around the 
world about these historic events that led to the birth of our nation 
and the ideals embodied in those courageous actions.
  The Minute Man National Historical Park encompasses more than 1,000 
acres in the historic communities of Lexington, Lincoln, and Concord, 
Massachusetts. It includes areas such as Concord's North Bridge, where 
the American militia were first ordered to fire on British soldiers, an 
event immortalized by Ralph Waldo Emerson in ``The Concord Hymn'' as 
``the shot heard round the world.'' It features Paul Revere's capture 
site, where his famous ``Midnight Ride'' to warn the colonists that 
British soldiers were marching to Concord came to its conclusion. The 
Park also features The Wayside, a house that was in turn home to 
celebrated authors Louisa May Alcott, Nathaniel Hawthorne and Margaret 
Sidney.
  More than just preserving these treasured sites and landscapes, the 
Minute Man National Historical Park preserves the spirit of our 
nation's history, the American Revolution, the ideals of democracy, 
liberty, and freedom. The creation of Minute Man National Historical 
Park 50 years ago showed our commitment to honoring the proud tradition 
of the American Revolution and maintaining these historic sites for 
generations to come. I ask all my colleagues to honor our history and 
renew that commitment today by supporting this resolution.

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