[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 111 (Monday, July 11, 2016)]
[House]
[Pages H4601-H4603]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             NATIONAL GEORGE C. MARSHALL MUSEUM AND LIBRARY

  Mr. BRAT. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the 
concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 138) designating the George C. 
Marshall Museum and George C. Marshall Research Library in Lexington, 
Virginia, as the National George C. Marshall Museum and Library.
  The Clerk read the title of the concurrent resolution.
  The text of the concurrent resolution is as follows:

                            H. Con. Res. 138

       Whereas General George C. Marshall served as Army Chief of 
     Staff during World War II, Special Ambassador to China, 
     Secretary of State, and Secretary of Defense;
       Whereas General George C. Marshall was promoted to General 
     of the Army in 1944, one of only five Army five-star generals 
     in the history of the United States;
       Whereas General George C. Marshall was awarded the 
     Congressional Gold Medal in 1946 for his military strategy 
     and vital role during World War II;
       Whereas General George C. Marshall was awarded the Nobel 
     Peace Prize in 1953 for developing the European economic 
     recovery strategy known as the Marshall Plan;
       Whereas the George C. Marshall Foundation was established 
     in 1953 and is devoted to preserving the legacy of General 
     George C. Marshall through educational scholarship programs 
     and facilities;
       Whereas the George C. Marshall Foundation opened the George 
     C. Marshall Museum and George C. Marshall Research Library in 
     1964 in Lexington, Virginia, on the post of the Virginia 
     Military Institute, which is the alma mater of General George 
     C. Marshall;
       Whereas the George C. Marshall Museum educates the public 
     about the military and diplomatic contributions of General 
     George C. Marshall through extensive exhibits; and
       Whereas the George C. Marshall Research Library maintains 
     the most comprehensive collection of records documenting the 
     life and leadership of General George C. Marshall: Now, 
     therefore, be it
       Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate 
     concurring), That Congress designates the George C. Marshall 
     Museum and George C. Marshall Research Library in Lexington, 
     Virginia, as the National George C. Marshall Museum and 
     Library.


[[Page H4602]]


  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Virginia (Mr. Brat) and the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Scott) each 
will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Brat).


                             General Leave

  Mr. BRAT. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may 
have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and 
include extraneous material on H. Con. Res. 138.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Virginia?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. BRAT. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Con. Res. 138, a 
resolution that designates the George C. Marshall Museum and the George 
C. Marshall Research Library in Lexington, Virginia, as the National 
George C. Marshall Museum and Library.
  General George C. Marshall was a soldier, a statesman, and a 
peacemaker. General Marshall served as Army Chief of Staff during World 
War II, Special Ambassador to China, Secretary of State, and Secretary 
of Defense. He was promoted to General of the Army in 1944.
  He was one of only five individuals in our Nation's history to rise 
to the rank of a five-star general in the United States Army. He was 
also awarded the Congressional Gold Medal in 1946 for his military 
strategy and vital role during World War II. He was awarded the Nobel 
Peace Prize in 1953 for developing the European economic recovery 
strategy, known as the Marshall Plan, which was absolutely essential to 
bringing peace to the European continent.
  The George C. Marshall Foundation was created in 1953 to honor the 
legacy of George C. Marshall and his contributions to our Nation and 
the world during many of the key events of the 20th century. The 
Foundation preserves this legacy through educational scholarship 
programs and facilities.
  The George C. Marshall Foundation opened the George C. Marshall 
Museum and George C. Marshall Research Library in 1964, in Lexington, 
Virginia, on the post of the Virginia Military Institute, which is the 
alma mater of General Marshall.
  The library provides scholars with a documented record of the life of 
General Marshall and his public service, and the museum shares his 
inspiring story with visitors through exhibitions, artifacts, and 
educational programming.
  General Marshall's contributions to our Nation cannot be overstated, 
and I hope to see this resolution adopted to designate the George C. 
Marshall Museum and George C. Marshall Research Library, which works so 
hard to highlight and share these contributions, as the National George 
C. Marshall Museum and Library. It is a small, yet fitting, tribute to 
a man who spent a lifetime faithfully and courageously serving his 
country.
  I urge my colleagues to support this resolution.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H. Con. Res. 138, a resolution 
designating the George C. Marshall Museum and the George C. Marshall 
Research Library in Lexington as the National George C. Marshall Museum 
and Library. This concurrent resolution was introduced by my friend and 
colleague, Bob Goodlatte, and is cosponsored by the entire Virginia 
delegation.
  General George C. Marshall is a national hero and a distinguished 
public servant. The George C. Marshall Museum and Library is located in 
Lexington, Virginia, on the post of the Virginia Military Institute, 
the alma matter of General Marshall.
  General Marshall served our country with distinction as the Army 
Chief of Staff during World War II, Special Ambassador to China, 
Secretary of State, president of the American Red Cross, and Secretary 
of Defense. He is one of only five Army five-star generals in United 
States history.
  After World War II, General Marshall was awarded the Nobel Peace 
Prize in 1953 for his role in developing the European Recovery Program, 
which is now widely known as the Marshall Plan. The Marshall Plan 
contributed to European integration and growth in the aftermath of 
World War II.
  Mr. Speaker, as the holder of the George C. Marshall Papers and with 
a mission to collect, preserve, and share information regarding the 
life and career of General Marshall, it is appropriate to designate the 
George C. Marshall Museum as the National George C. Marshall Museum and 
Library.
  I urge my colleagues to support the concurrent resolution.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. BRAT. Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from 
Virginia (Mr. Goodlatte).
  Mr. GOODLATTE. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank both gentlemen from 
Virginia for their support of this legislation.
  I rise today to urge passage of H. Con. Res. 138. This resolution 
would designate the George C. Marshall Museum and the George C. 
Marshall Research Library in Lexington, Virginia, as the National 
George C. Marshall Museum and Library.
  General George Catlett Marshall dedicated his life to public service, 
serving honorably in the United States Army as Army Chief of Staff 
during World War II, Special Ambassador to China, Secretary of State, 
and Secretary of Defense.
  From his allied plan to storm the beaches of Normandy to his European 
economic recovery strategy known as the Marshall Plan, his leadership 
changed the world. The history of the United States and the global 
community would be a different place if not for the contributions of 
General Marshall.
  At the recommendation of former President Harry Truman, the Marshall 
Foundation was established in 1953. On May 23, 1964, the Marshall 
Museum and Library was dedicated on the post of the Virginia Military 
Institute, General Marshall's alma mater.
  For over 50 years, the Marshall Foundation has devoted its mission to 
educating the public about the important contributions of General 
Marshall. The museum has five extensive exhibits and houses General 
Marshall's 1953 Nobel Peace Prize. The research library collects, 
preserves, and shares the largest collection of documents pertaining to 
General Marshall's life.
  Just this year, the Marshall Foundation reached a huge milestone with 
the completion of the Papers of George Catlett Marshall. This project 
began in 1977, with the goal to create a published record of every 
document that General Marshall produced. The final project consists of 
seven volumes and includes 4,260 documents spanning over 5,666 pages.
  In addition to its extensive research work, the Marshall Foundation 
provides educational opportunities for college students and future 
military leaders. The Marshall Undergraduate Scholars Program sends 
college history students to the Marshall Foundation to conduct primary 
research in the library's archives.
  The Marshall Army ROTC Award Seminar also provides the top ROTC cadet 
at each college in the United States the opportunity to participate in 
a national security conference with fellow award recipients and current 
Army leaders. The Marshall-Arnold Air Force ROTC Award Seminar provides 
a similar opportunity to top senior cadets at each college with an Air 
Force ROTC program.

  Last year, the Marshall Foundation began the Marshall Legacy Series. 
This is a 3-year series of exhibits, lectures, and events to showcase 
General Marshall's contributions during the 20th century and connect 
those contributions to today's world.
  This is just a snapshot of the important work the Marshall Foundation 
conducts to honor and preserve the legacy of General Marshall. I am 
honored to have such an important facility in my district, the Sixth 
Congressional District of Virginia.
  General Marshall once said: ``Sincerity, integrity, and tolerance 
are, to my mind, the first requirements of many to a fine, strong 
character.''
  I applaud the Marshall Foundation's work in sharing Marshall's vision 
and character with a new generation of Americans. I urge passage of 
this resolution to honor one of America's most sincere and 
distinguished public servants by congressionally designating

[[Page H4603]]

the museum and library in Lexington, Virginia, as the National George 
C. Marshall Museum and Library.
  Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my 
time.
  Mr. Speaker, I want to thank our colleague from Roanoke for his 
leadership and the entire Virginia delegation for supporting the 
resolution. I urge support.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. BRAT. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time.
  I am pleased we are advancing a bipartisan proposal today, one that 
means a great deal to the people in my home State of Virginia and to my 
fellow Members from Virginia here with us today, to designate the 
George C. Marshall Museum and the George C. Marshall Library as the 
National George C. Marshall Museum and Library. We do this to honor a 
great American hero and his enduring legacy. I urge my colleagues to 
support this resolution.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Brat) that the House suspend the rules and 
agree to the concurrent resolution, H. Con. Res. 138.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the 
rules were suspended and the concurrent resolution was agreed to.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

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