[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 23 (Wednesday, February 13, 2013)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E137-E138]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                HONORING THE LEGACY OF GEORGE WASHINGTON

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. FRANK R. WOLF

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, February 13, 2013

  Mr. WOLF. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to reintroduce legislation that 
would reestablish the legal public holiday for Washington's Birthday 
from the third Monday of February to the actual date of George 
Washington's birth on February 22.
  I have long admired President Washington and have found inspiration 
in public service from studying his life. Unfortunately, I have found 
that students today have a dearth of knowledge about our nation's 
beginnings and the man from Virginia who led the colonies to form the 
union known as the United States of America.
  In 2011, two-time Pulitzer Prize winning history author David 
McCullough observed, ``We're raising young people who are, by and 
large, historically illiterate.'' How can we adequately explain the 
importance of George Washington to our children when we do not even 
take time to recognize his actual birthday? We must reestablish 
Washington's Birthday on the 22nd to honor his legacy and in doing so 
call upon schools across the nation to focus on Washington as the 
soldier, legislator and president who shepherded our young nation 
through war, political turmoil, rebellion and expansion as no other 
single individual was capable of doing.
  I believe Congress has unwittingly contributed to this lack of 
historical understanding by relegating Washington's Birthday to the 
third Monday of February to take advantage of a three-day weekend. We 
need to change the focus from celebrating sales at the mall to 
celebrating the significance of President Washington's birth to the 
birth of our nation.
  There is a reason the birthday of President George Washington is the 
only legal federal holiday observed for a president of the United 
States. He is called the ``father of our country'' because he is 
without compare in our nation's history.
  Washington's Birthday has been celebrated since the final days of the 
Revolutionary War. French and American troops paraded through Newport, 
Rhode Island, in 1781 and celebrations were held in Richmond, Virginia, 
in 1782. Organized by French General Rochambeau and others who knew him 
personally, these celebrations drew special attention to the bravery, 
courage, leadership and perseverance of the Revolutionary War hero.
  From the beginning of our country, the importance of this day has 
been recognized. As President James Buchanan said in 1860, ``. . . when 
the birthday of Washington shall be forgotten, liberty will have 
perished from the earth.'' In response, President Rutherford B. Hayes 
signed legislation in 1879 that made Washington's Birthday a holiday 
for District federal workers. The holiday was extended to all federal 
workers in 1885.
  This legislation I reintroduce today is not without precedent. In 
1975, Congress amended the Uniform Monday Holiday Act and President 
Gerald R. Ford signed legislation into law returning the annual 
observance of Veterans Day from the fourth Monday in November to its 
original date of November 11, beginning in 1978.
  The Uniform Holiday Bill signed in 1968 and effective in 1971 was 
intended to ensure three-day weekends for federal employees by 
celebrating four national holidays on Mondays: Washington's Birthday, 
Memorial Day, Veterans Day and Columbus Day. Originally called 
Armistice Day to mark the signing of an Armistice on the 11th hour, of 
the 11th day, of the 11th month in 1918 that ended World War

[[Page E138]]

I, the date of November 11 holds historic and patriotic significance as 
a day of thanks and remembrance for all veterans. The law change 
brought widespread public protest and 46 states refused to recognize 
any day other than November 11 to honor the sacrifice made first by 
World War I veterans and subsequently by all veterans.
  The restoration of the observance of Veterans Day to November 11 not 
only preserves the historical significance of the date, but helps focus 
attention on the important purpose of Veterans Day as a celebration to 
honor America's veterans for their patriotism, love of country, and 
willingness to serve and sacrifice for the common good.
  Likewise, we need to restore the observance of Washington's Birthday 
to February 22 to preserve the date of his birth for history and to 
focus attention on his life of service and duty to his country. Even 
George Washington's home state of Virginia, where he was born and 
raised, which he served in elected office, where he accepted General 
Cornwallis' surrender, and where he is buried, celebrates Washington's 
Birthday in accordance with the Uniform Monday Holiday Act. I believe 
all school children in every state should dedicate February 22 each 
year to learning about our greatest leader, foremost patriot, first 
president and the only six-star general in the nation's history.
  Posterity has shown that the traditions he started, including 
civilian control of the military and presidential term limits, have 
distinguished our government from so many failed countries born in 
revolution from the colonial powers of the 18th century. President 
Washington exemplifies the best that America and Americans have to 
offer the world; principled leadership, personal bravery, a sense of 
duty and public service, patriotism, recognition of our unique role in 
world history, and a reverence for his Creator. His enduring service 
deserves to be remembered on his actual birthday.
  My legislation is supported by George Washington's Mount Vernon 
Estate. Executive Director Jim Rees said, ``The holiday was far more 
meaningful when it revolved around George Washington, and schools were 
able to focus on his sterling example of character and leadership.''
  I am extremely pleased that David McCullough supports my legislation 
as well. His letter, copied below, says ``Celebrating George 
Washington's Birthday on February 22 is a simple, solid, self-evident 
statement of respect for one of the greatest of all Americans, for his 
whole founding generation, and for so much that we owe them.''
  The legislation is also supported by other prominent authors and 
scholars that have published extensive works on Washington's life. 
Scholar and history professor Gordon Wood stated ``I agree 
wholeheartedly that Washington's Birthday ought to be separated from 
the Uniform Monday Holiday Act. He is unique as a president and 
founder.'' In addition, my legislation is supported by noted Washington 
historian Ron Chernow, historians Peter Henriques and Richard 
Brookhiser and history professors from the University of Georgia, 
LaSalle University, James Madison University and Brandeis University.
  Mr. Speaker, it is only right that we hold February 22 as a date of 
reverence to commemorate the unique person without whom the tide of 
American history may well have taken a different turn. I urge my 
colleagues to join in cosponsoring this legislation to forever honor 
President George Washington's Birthday.

                                                 January 19, 2012.
       Dear Mr. Wolf: The place of George Washington in the 
     American story, his all-important example of courage and 
     integrity in leadership, can hardly be overstated and must 
     never be taken lightly.
       Nor should we celebrate his birthday on any day but 
     February 22, any more than we would wish to move July 4 about 
     to suit some convenience of the moment.
       How can it reasonably be argued otherwise?
       Celebrating George Washington's birthday on February 22 is 
     a simple, solid, self-evident statement of respect for one of 
     the greatest of all Americans, for his whole founding 
     generation, and for so much that we owe them.
       Sincerely,
     David McCullough.

                          ____________________