[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 51 (Wednesday, March 28, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E462-E463]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   RECOGNIZING THE 450TH ANNIVERSARY OF FRENCH HUGUENOT CAPTAIN JEAN 
                      RIBAULT'S LANDING IN FLORIDA

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. ANDER CRENSHAW

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, March 28, 2012

  Mr. CRENSHAW. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 
Sesquiquadricentennial, or 450th anniversary, of the French expedition 
commanded by Huguenot Captain Jean Ribault landing in Florida at what 
is now Jacksonville, my hometown. Seeking the right to worship freely 
and with the support of the French Crown, Ribault sailed toward the New 
World and dropped anchor along the North Florida coast. His arrival on 
April 30, 1562, marked the beginning of French history in Florida.
  The next day, May 1, the crew sailed north and came to ``a leaping 
and breking of the water, as a streme falling owt of the lande unto the 
sea.'' They had discovered the mouth of a majestic river that Ribault 
named the River of Maye. We now call that river the St. Johns River, 
but the Village of Mayport and Naval Station Mayport owe their names to 
the original River of May.

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  Greeted by indigenous, Mocama-speaking Timucua Indians, Ribault and 
his crew entered the river, rowed ashore, and planted a column in honor 
of their King, Charles IX, claiming the land for France and marking a 
spot for future settlement. This French landing predates the settling 
of Jamestown by 45 years and occurred 58 years before the Mayflower 
arrived in Plymouth.
  Two years later on June 22, 1564, a second sailing expedition, under 
the command of Rene Goulaine de Laudonniere, established the first 
French colony in the present-day United States of America near the 
mouth of the river. It was named la Caroline for the French King 
Charles IX. A fort was built in the colony or land of Charles to 
protect settlers. While there undoubtedly will be continued debate as 
to where and who claimed the first celebration of thanksgiving, we do 
know that the French Huguenots of the la Caroline colony celebrated a 
day of thanksgiving on June 30, 1564, and shared a meal with the 
Timucua Indians. Today, this landmark is operated by the United States 
National Park Service as Fort Caroline National Memorial.
  Beginning with this first settlement and continuing until today, 
France and Florida have built a long-lasting relationship through 
consular representations, trade, cultural and educational exchanges, 
and tourism, all of which benefit both the French people and the people 
of Florida.
  Florida has a long, rich maritime history dating back at least 12,000 
years, but the documented history of the French coming to this long, 
flat peninsula is also cause for celebration. Many exciting activities 
are planned including the rededication of the Ribault Monument at Ft. 
Caroline National Memorial and the French Navy mooring two goelettes, 
the Etoile and the Belle Poule, in downtown Jacksonville. Consul 
General of France in Miami, Gael de Maisonneuve, and other French and 
American dignitaries will be on hand for this historical celebration.
  It is my honor to bring this historic commemoration to the attention 
of the United States Congress and to invite Members to join in the 
celebration.

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