[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 60 (Tuesday, April 27, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E684]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 IN HONOR OF THE ANNUAL JAMES MONROE DAY PROGRAM IN WESTMORELAND COUNTY

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                         HON. ROBERT J. WITTMAN

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, April 27, 2010

  Mr. WITTMAN. Madam Speaker, I am privileged to rise today to honor 
the James Monroe Memorial Foundation and the annual James Monroe Day 
Program.
  I am pleased to recognize and honor the birth and life of our 
Nation's fifth president, and First District of Virginia native, James 
Monroe. I appreciate the invitation to share this special occasion with 
you.
  First, I want to recognize the important accomplishments of the James 
Monroe Foundation. Since 1928, the James Monroe Foundation has worked 
tirelessly to preserve the former President's great legacy. Your 
efforts have kept his memory alive and have allowed generations of 
people to learn about his many significant contributions to our Nation. 
I would like to thank the foundation for your hard work and for 
organizing this magnificent celebration.
  James Monroe came to the Presidency as one of the most qualified men 
to ever assume the office. He was the last American President of the 
``Virginia Dynasty,'' and one who left such a lasting impression on 
American history that we gather today to recognize his life and 
celebrate his birth.
  As you know, President Monroe, one of five children to Spence Monroe 
and Elizabeth Jones, was born here in Westmoreland County on April 28, 
1758. Monroe was raised and educated in what is now the First 
Congressional District of the Commonwealth of Virginia. He worked on 
the family farm until entering the College of William and Mary at the 
age of 16. Within a year, the American Revolution began and Monroe soon 
left college to enlist in the Continental Army. He was one of the men 
who crossed the Delaware with George Washington.
  As a politician, Monroe served in the Virginia Assembly, the 
Continental Congress, as Governor to the Commonwealth of Virginia, as a 
U.S. Senator, Secretary of State and Secretary of War to President 
James Madison. Ultimately, James Monroe became our fifth President of 
the United States.
  His presidency represented a key point in our history. National 
identity and patriotism were growing and the country's democratic 
institutions and capitalist economy were taking form.
  During Monroe's early years in the White House his administration was 
known as the ``Era of Good Feelings'', a time period in American 
political history in which partisan bitterness abated. President Monroe 
went on two long national tours in order to gain the trust and faith of 
the American people. Monroe expanded the country's borders by 
purchasing Florida from Spain. Yet, Monroe may be best remembered for 
his belief that the Americas should be free from future European 
colonization and interference in sovereign countries' affairs. His 
strong opinions and principles on foreign policy came to be known as 
the Monroe Doctrine.
  James Monroe was a loyal public servant and an exceptional statesman. 
He proved to be a visionary leader who helped form our Nation in its 
infant stages, and later helped to reconcile a deeply divided country 
in the aftermath of the War of 1812.
  President Monroe cherished the very principle of democracy, and 
championed the cause of a republic empowered not by privilege or 
birthright, but by the people. He once stated, ``In this great Nation 
there is but one order, that of the people, whose power, by a 
peculiarly happy improvement of the representative principle, is 
transferred from them, without impairing in the slightest degree their 
sovereignty, to bodies of their own creation, and to persons elected by 
themselves, in the full extent necessary for the purposes of free, 
enlightened, and efficient government''. This eloquent statement 
contained a very simple message that continues to ring true today.
  I recently introduced the James Monroe Commemorative Coin Act (H.R. 
4329) to honor James Monroe and the contributions he made to the 
Commonwealth and our Nation. This legislation would authorize the U.S. 
Treasury to mint coins to commemorate the bicentennial of the election 
of President James Monroe.
  In addition, the funds collected from the coin will go to the James 
Monroe Memorial Foundation to reconstruct the birthplace of President 
Monroe including farm buildings and a visitor and education center in 
Westmoreland County. Additional proceeds will then be used to support 
continuing education programs about President Monroe, the Monroe 
Doctrine, an online library, and collection and preservation of 
artifacts and historical items related to James Monroe's childhood and 
presidency.
  James Monroe was an outstanding citizen, soldier, and statesman who 
dedicated his life to our country. He was a good man who inspired a 
nation at a moment in time that begged for leadership. Jefferson said 
of his fellow Virginian, ``A better man cannot be.''
  The citizens of the Commonwealth of Virginia and especially America's 
First District express their gratitude to James Monroe, in 
commemoration of the 252nd anniversary of his birthday.

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