[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 154 (Thursday, October 22, 2009)]
[Senate]
[Page S10703]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Ms. LANDRIEU (for herself and Mr. Webb):
  S. 1838. A bill to establish a commission to commemorate the 
sesquicentennial of the American Civil War; to the Committee on Energy 
and Natural Resources.
  Ms. LANDRIEU. Mr. President, I rise today to commemorate a defining 
moment in our Nation's history--the American Civil War. From 1861-1865, 
the U.S. was torn apart, engaged in the most deadly struggle that has 
ever befallen our great Nation. As we approach the War's 150th 
anniversary, we must remember the contributions of our forefathers, 
those many Americans who gave their lives to make America what it is 
now. Today I join my colleague, Senator Webb, in introducing the Civil 
War Sesquicentennial Commission Act of 2009.
  We all studied the Civil War in school. We know that the opening 
shots of the Civil War were fired at Fort Sumter, South Carolina in 
April of 1861 and that Robert E. Lee and Ulysses S. Grant agreed to 
peace at Appomattox Court House, Virginia on April 9, 1865. We 
recognize those most horrific battles--Antietam, Gettysburg, 
Fredericksburg, and the 10,000 other sites from New Mexico to Vermont 
that were host to fighting. We celebrate the strength and bravery of 
individuals such as Frederick Douglas and Harriett Tubman who risked 
everything to combat the deplorable institution of slavery. Every 
February, we observe President Lincoln's birthday, a day to recollect 
his legacy. The Emancipation Proclamation and Gettysburg address are 
two of the most memorable documents in American history, and it is 
thanks to President Lincoln that slavery was eradicated.
  These are the most memorable aspects of the Civil War, but the 
influence and impact reaches so much further. I recently learned that 
on this very day, 148 years ago, work was underway on a revolutionary 
new technology--an innovation that would forever change the face of 
naval warfare. It was in October of 1861 that the keel of the USS 
Monitor was laid. For those who may not remember, the USS Monitor was 
the world's first ship to be entirely constructed from iron. It also 
featured the first rotating gun turret, allowing it to fire in any 
direction regardless of which way the ship was facing. Naval history 
recognizes this as the beginning of the end for wooden warships and the 
need to strategically position ships because their artillery could only 
be fired in one direction. I recognize this as an example of American 
ingenuity.
  This is just one additional example to show how the events of the 
American Civil War have reverberated through history. Every aspect of 
American life was affected whether economic, cultural, political, or 
otherwise. The most profound consequence of the Civil War was to end 
the legal edifice that justified the subjugation of people based on 
accidental characteristics such as race.
  We must remember what our forefathers sacrificed for us. More than 3 
million men fought in the Civil War. They left their homes and their 
loved ones to fight for their beliefs, their families, their Nation. 
620,000 of those soldiers gave their lives.
  We must remember the untold number of civilians who lost their lives 
or welfare because the battles were taking place all around them. No 
State, city, community, or family was untouched by devastation or loss.
  We must remember the legacies of the Civil War. The U.S. emerged 
completely altered after the 4 years of struggle, and as a testament of 
American resilience, grew stronger than it was before. The cultural and 
political ramifications still shape the American landscape today. It 
was in the era of Reconstruction that Congress adopted the 13th, 14th, 
and 15th amendments to the Constitution, acknowledging black Americans 
as free and equal citizens of the U.S.
  The Civil War Sesquicentennial Commission Act of 2009 is about 
preserving the memory. It will establish a Commission to ensure 
suitable National observance. Consisting of 25 members from government, 
business and academia, this commission will develop and carry out 
programs to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the Civil War. It will 
work together with State and local governments, as well as various 
organizations, to assist with these activities and ensure that 
remembrance occurs at every level.
  Mr. President, 2011 marks the anniversary of a monumentally tragic 
time in American history, but also a time of intensive change, growth, 
and hope. We must use this opportunity to reflect upon the Civil War, 
the sacrifices, legacies, and changes in our Nation. I urge support of 
the Civil War Sesquicentennial Commission Act of 2009.
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