[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 153 (Thursday, September 13, 2018)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1254]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     RECOGNIZING LEGENDARY CIVIL WAR HISTORIAN EDWIN ``ED'' BEARSS

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                          HON. ROBERT A. BRADY

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 13, 2018

  Mr. BRADY of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize legendary 
Civil War historian Edwin ``Ed'' Bearss. Mr. Bearss will be honored 
next month by the General Meade Society of Philadelphia for his 
contributions to Civil War history.
  Ed's interest in the Civil War began at an early age. As a young man 
in Billings, Montana, Ed grew up listening to the stories of Civil War 
veterans in his home town. Following in their footsteps, he enlisted in 
the Marine Corps in 1942 . He would participate in the Guadalcanal and 
Russell Islands campaigns before suffering a near-fatal wound in the 
Battle of Cape Gloucester. After a two year long recovery process, Ed 
left Montana to pursue higher education. He received his bachelor's 
from Georgetown University before earning a master's degree in history 
from Indiana University.
  After several years working for the United States Hydrographic 
Office, a visit to the Shiloh Battlefield inspired Ed to make a career 
change. Beginning in 1955 as a park historian at the Vicksburg National 
Military Park, he quickly gained a reputation as an engaging and 
theatrical battlefield guide. His research led to the 1956 discovery of 
the USS Cairo, a Union ironclad gunboat sunk during the Yazoo Pass 
Expedition. Ed would later be elevated to Chief Historian of the 
National Park Service, a position he would hold from 1981 to 1995. 
Following his retirement, Ed received the title of Chief Historian 
Emeritus.
  The General Meade Society of Philadelphia is only the latest 
organization to recognize Ed for his work. His honors include the Harry 
S. Truman Award for Meritorious Service in the field of Civil War 
History, the Department of the Interior's Distinguished Service Award, 
and the American Battlefield Trust's Lifetime Achievement Award. Most 
impressively, despite turning 95 in June, Ed continues to lead 
battlefield tours to this day.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask that all of my colleagues join me in honoring Ed 
Bearss on receiving this important honor.

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