[Congressional Record Volume 163, Number 97 (Wednesday, June 7, 2017)]
[House]
[Pages H4674-H4676]
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. 33) 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. 33
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;
[[Page H4675]]
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.
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.
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. 33.
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. 33, a resolution
that designates the George C. Marshall Museum and George C. Marshall
Research Library in Lexington, Virginia, as the National George C.
Marshall Museum and Library.
George C. Marshall was one of America's most distinguished soldiers,
a dedicated statesman, and a genuine peacemaker. General Marshall
served as Army Chief of Staff during World War II, Special Ambassador
to China, and Secretaries of both the Departments of State and Defense.
He was promoted to General of the Army in 1944--one of only nine
individuals in our Nation's history to rise to the rank of a five-star
officer--and was also awarded the Congressional Gold Medal in 1946.
In addition, General Marshall was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in
1953 for developing the European economic recovery strategy known as
the Marshall Plan, which was essential to bringing peace to the postwar
European continent.
To honor the legacy of such an accomplished man, the George C.
Marshall Foundation was created in 1953, to pay tribute to General
Marshall's contributions to our Nation and the world during some of the
most perilous and tumultuous times of the 20th century. The Marshall
Foundation preserves this legacy through educational facilities and
scholarship programs.
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, 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 programs.
General Marshall's contributions to our Nation and our world cannot
be overstated, and I hope to see this resolution adopted to designate
the George C. Marshall Museum and George C. Marshall Research Library
as the National George C. Marshall Museum and Library.
Both institutions work tirelessly to highlight and share General
Marshall's work and service, and this is a fitting tribute to a man who
spent a lifetime faithfully and courageously serving his country at
home and abroad.
Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this resolution, and 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 today in support of H. Con. Res. 33, designating
the George C. Marshall Museum and George C. Marshall Research Library
in Lexington, Virginia, as the National George C. Marshall Museum and
Library. I appreciate my good friend, the gentleman from Virginia (Mr.
Goodlatte), for sponsoring the resolution and note that the entire
Virginia delegation has signed on as original cosponsors.
General George C. Marshall is a national hero, a distinguished public
servant, and treasured piece of Virginia's history. Located in
Lexington, Virginia, the George C. Marshall Museum and Library are
located on the campus of the Virginia Military Institute, his alma
mater.
General Marshall served our country as the Chief of Staff during
World War II, Special Ambassador to China, Secretary of State,
president of the Red Cross, Secretary of Defense, and is one of only
five Army five-star generals in the United States.
After World War II, General Marshall was awarded the Nobel Peace
Prize in 1953, for his role in developing the European Recovery Program
better known as the Marshall Plan. This week we are commemorating the
70th anniversary of the Marshall Plan speech given on June 5, 1947, at
Harvard University. The Marshall Plan contributed to European
integration and growth in the aftermath of World War II.
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 apt to make this institution the National
George C. Marshall Museum and Library.
Mr. Speaker, considering the important place in our Nation's history
that General Marshall holds, I urge my colleagues to support the
resolution, and 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 rise today to urge passage of H. Con.
Res. 33. 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.
I would like to thank Chairwoman Foxx, Ranking Member Scott, and Mr.
Brat for their work in bringing this legislation to the floor today.
It is only fitting that we consider this resolution on the week of
the 70th anniversary of George C. Marshall's speech at Harvard
University where he proposed a comprehensive foreign assistance
program--later coined as the Marshall Plan--to help rebuild the war-
torn and devastated economies in Western Europe after World War II.
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. He was one of only five five-star
generals ever to serve in our military.
From his allied plan to storm the beaches of Normandy to 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.
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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 last year, the Marshall Foundation reached a huge milestone with
the completion of the Papers of George Catlett Marshall. This project
began in 1977 with a goal to create a published record of every
document that General Marshall produced. The final project consists of
7 volumes and includes 4,260 documents spanning over 5,666 pages.
[[Page H4676]]
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.
Two years ago, the Marshall Foundation began the Marshall Legacy
Series--this multiyear series of exhibits, lectures, and events to
showcase General Marshall's contributions during the 20th century, and
connects 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 a distinguished institution 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 the museum
and library in Lexington, Virginia, as the National George C. Marshall
Museum and Library.
Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I thank my Virginia colleagues
for their leadership, and I urge my colleagues to support the
resolution.
Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. BRAT. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time.
Mr. Speaker, 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, to designate the George C. Marshall Museum and Library as the
National George C. Marshall Museum and Library. We do this to honor a
great American hero and his enduring legacy.
Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this resolution, and 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. 33.
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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