[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 101 (Thursday, June 26, 2014)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1089-E1091]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      GEORGE WASHINGTON'S BIRTHDAY

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. FRANK R. WOLF

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 26, 2014

  Mr. WOLF. Mr. Speaker, as you know, I have introduced legislation to 
reestablish the public holiday for George Washington's Birthday from 
the third Monday of February to the actual date of Washington's birth 
on February 22. I have long admired President Washington and have found 
inspiration in public service from studying his life. Few know that his 
first political office was representing Winchester, Virginia, in the 
Virginia House of Burgesses. I am proud to say Winchester is in the 
10th Congressional District of Virginia.
  Earlier this month I spoke to the third grade classes at Waterford 
Elementary School in Loudoun County. When I brought my effort to move 
the holiday back to President Washington's actual birthday the children 
cheered. Then their teachers asked what their students could do help 
get the legislation passed.
  I want to enter into the Record a resolution drafted and signed by 
all the students in the class that says that George Washington's 
Birthday should be observed on February 22, rather than the third 
Monday in February each year. The complete resolution reads:

[[Page E1090]]

 Resolution in Support of Congressman Wolf's Bill To Make February 22 
          the Official Holiday of George Washington's Birthday

       We are gathered today in third grade at Waterford 
     Elementary School, in historic Waterford within the County of 
     Loudoun, in the Commonwealth of Virginia, to affirm 
     Congressman Wolf's proposed bill to honor George Washington, 
     and
       We have learned of Congressman Wolf's initiative to 
     celebrate the significance of President Washington's birth to 
     the birth of our nation, honoring his unparalleled role in 
     American History; instilling in the American people a deeper 
     desire to learn more about this great man:
       Whereas, as General and Commander in Chief of the 
     Continental Army, Washington led the Patriots to victory in 
     the Revolutionary War. Absent this, the United States may 
     have never been born, and
       Whereas, following his dreams of a free and democratic 
     country, Washington refused to become a king and refused to 
     serve more than two terms as president. He pioneered the 
     qualities of our government that helped to establish clear 
     roles of its leaders by establishing a system of checks and 
     balances, and
       Whereas, Washington's efforts and actions led to the design 
     and construction of our capital city. Washington, himself, 
     laid the cornerstone of our U.S. Capitol, and
       Whereas, our first and one of the greatest presidents, was 
     president of the Continental Congress, a key author of the 
     Constitution, and an instrumental force in uniting the 
     thirteen colonies, and
       Whereas, Washington was the ONLY president unanimously 
     nominated for that office by the electoral college for both 
     his first and second terms, and
       Whereas, Washington, a man of incredible vision, freed his 
     own slaves in his will, foreshadowing an identical outcome 
     nation-wide on September 22, 1862, and
       Whereas, George Washington, the father of country, is 
     admired and honored by all who know the significance of his 
     contributions.
       Now, therefore, be it resolved to pass H.R. 681: to amend 
     title 5, United States Code, to provide that Washington's 
     Birthday be observed on February 22, rather than the third 
     Monday of February of each year.
       Be it further resolved to tell Congressman Wolf how much 
     his inspiration, wisdom, determination, and unfailing support 
     for honoring George Washington means to us; and how grateful 
     we are or his service.
       Respectfully Submitted: Riley E. White, Paige E. Wenham, 
     Clay Ash, Kierstin G. Culp, Reggie Norton, Matt Chmielewski, 
     Jackson Allgood, Aiden Akers, Kevin Beach, Ava Fahrner, Luke 
     Jenkins, Connor Thurston, Joseph T. Ravese, Barrett Ralston, 
     Haley Oliver, Maxwell Twyford, Ava Mumaw, Charlotte 
     Fiorentino, Emma Vest, Lily Kelly, Cole Gormont, Claire 
     Thurston, Ian T. Watson, Susan H. Verdin Teacher, Stephanie 
     R. Wang, Wynn Drenning, Blake Earles, Luke Malonis, Henry E. 
     Dinger, Cash Croft, Grace Gavlinski, Madeline Shea, Collin 
     Price, Anthony Alfaro, Corey Schaeffer, and Evelyn B. Hale 
     Teacher,
       The third graders at Waterford Elementary aren't alone in 
     their support of H.R. 681. Two-time Pulitzer Prize winning 
     history author David McCullough, Washington historian Ron 
     Chernow, historians Peter Henriques and Richard Bookhiser and 
     scholar and history professor Gordon Wood also support the 
     bill, as does George Washington's Mount Vernon Estate. On 
     June 2, 2014, I received the following letter from Curt 
     Viebranz, the president of Mount Vernon:
       Dear Congressman Wolf: Thank you for introducing H.R. 681 
     to restore the nation's official observance of George 
     Washington's Birthday on February 22, the actual date of his 
     birth 282 years ago. We at Mount Vernon enthusiastically 
     support this important legislative effort!
       As you are well aware, the Mount Vernon Ladies' Association 
     was created to save George Washington's home from potential 
     ruin and maintain this priceless landmark for the good of the 
     American people. We have worked tirelessly for more than 150 
     years to keep Washington's extraordinary legacy alive, and we 
     accomplish this solely through private donations--we do not 
     accept any government funds. Just last year, we opened the 
     Fred W. Smith National Library for the Study of George 
     Washington which offers a remarkable new platform to expand 
     our scholarship and educational outreach for visitors both on 
     the estate and online. We strongly believe that a true 
     patriotic celebration of Washington's birthday would help 
     return George Washington to a place of prominence in our 
     national consciousness--a goal for which we have been 
     striving for many years.
       Today several states, the media, advertisers, and the 
     general public have abandoned recognition of Washington's 
     birthday and replaced it with a commercial ``shopping 
     holiday'' that leaves American history, heroes, and 
     patriotism by the side of the road. The holiday was far more 
     meaningful when it revolved around George Washington and 
     schools and families focused on Washington's sterling example 
     of character and leadership.
       Americans should learn from example and celebrate and 
     appreciate our heroes. Our Founding Fathers and subsequent 
     leaders were surely clear on this point. President John F. 
     Kennedy stated, ``History is the means by which a nation 
     establishes its sense of identity and purpose.'' President 
     Harry Truman emphasized this point as well when he said, 
     ``The only thing new in the world is the history you don't 
     know.''
       Restoring the official celebration of Washington's birthday 
     would be a great place to start. We look forward to the day 
     when, once again, February 22 is marked by patriotic 
     festivities and lessons about George Washington which can 
     teach and inspire American leaders of today and tomorrow.
       As our nation's foremost founding father, Washington is 
     relevant to each new generation because his prominent 
     character traits--undaunted courage, unabashed patriotism, 
     reasoned judgment, a profound sense of civic responsibility, 
     and a deep, selfless commitment to country--never go out of 
     style. Educating the children of America about the life and 
     leadership of George Washington is an important investment in 
     the future of our nation.
       Your efforts are particularly important because as noted 
     author and keynote speaker at our Library's opening 
     ceremonies David McCullough has said many times, we are 
     ``raising a generation of historically illiterate children.'' 
     Surveys and focus groups validate this problem and show that 
     most Americans recognize the face of Washington on their 
     dollar bills, but they don't know much about him. This is a 
     real cause for concern about the future of our nation It is 
     our duty and privilege to teach today's young people about 
     George Washington's leadership with the hope that they will 
     follow in his footsteps. Enactment of your legislation would 
     go a long way toward emphasizing the importance of 
     remembering the Father of Our Country.
       We are inspired in countless ways by George Washington's 
     example as the indispensable man. He served as Commander in 
     Chief of the Continental Army through the eight long years of 
     the War of Independence. The people then showed their 
     overwhelming support for him as he was unanimously elected as 
     president of the Constitutional Convention and to two terms 
     as our new nation's first president. As you know, the 
     unanimous election of a President of the United States has 
     never occurred since.
       A true celebration of Washington's birthday would encourage 
     Americans to reflect on the distinguishing qualities of his 
     leadership. For example, Washington was willing to sacrifice 
     the life he loved at Mount Vernon time and time again when he 
     was called to serve his country. Perhaps more than anyone in 
     American history, he understood and valued patriotic duty.
       Another admirable trait was his willingness to give up 
     power. In a time when great leaders were marked by their 
     ability to gain and keep as much power as possible, George 
     Washington willingly stepped down as the Commander in Chief 
     of the Continental Army as well as after his second term as 
     president. He could have been elected again and again, but 
     his peaceful transition of power demonstrated that democracy 
     really worked and established a new definition of power. He 
     truly believed in the concept of liberty where the power 
     rested with the people. What an important lesson even for the 
     leaders of today!
       The celebration of George Washington's Birthday on February 
     22 will help return the Father of Our Country to his position 
     as ``First in War, First in Peace, and First in the Hearts of 
     his Countrymen,'' as Light-Horse Harry Lee said so many years 
     ago. George Washington's sterling example of character and 
     leadership provides the opportunity to refresh and inspire 
     our country as we face formidable challenges both at home and 
     abroad.
       Thank you again for your efforts in introducing H.R. 681. 
     The Mount Vernon Ladies' Association stands behind you in 
     this patriotic pursuit.
           Sincerely,
                                               Curtis G. Viebranz,
                                                        President.

  My legislation 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 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.
  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

[[Page E1091]]

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.
  Sadly, the celebration of President Washington's unparalleled role in 
American history has been lost and I believe Congress has unwittingly 
contributed to this lack of historical understanding by relegating 
Washington's birthday to the third Monday in February to take advantage 
of a three-day weekend. It is time to change the focus of the holiday 
from celebrating sales at the mall to celebrating the significance of 
President Washington's birth and the birth of our nation. I urge the 
House to take up this bill and pass it.

                          ____________________