[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 182 (Thursday, November 14, 2019)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1447]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]





   HONORING THE CONNECTICUT STATE LIBRARY'S ``DIGGING INTO HISTORY'' 
                                PROGRAM

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                          HON. ROSA L. DeLAURO

                             of connecticut

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, November 14, 2019

  Ms. DeLAURO. Madam Speaker, it gives me great pleasure to rise today 
to take a moment to recognize an extraordinary program sponsored by the 
Connecticut State Library--``Digging Into History.'' This extraordinary 
program brought together fifteen Connecticut high school students, five 
of which I am proud to say are from my District, to take part in a 
unique learning experience and community service project.
  The first German offensive against American troops during World War I 
took place on April 20, 1918 in the village of Seicheprey, France. It 
was Connecticut troops from the 102nd Infantry Regiment, also known as 
the ``Yankee Division,'' that came under attack that morning as the 
German forces launched the surprise offensive. The battle of Seicheprey 
occurred on the southern side of the St. Mihiel salient. There, three 
companies of the Yankee Division's 102nd Regiment occupied a trench, 
known as the Sibille trench. The battle raged throughout the day with 
heavy losses on both sides and the village was destroyed. After the 
war's end, Connecticut citizens collected $5,000 to help rebuild the 
water supply and installed a fountain with a plaque in the town square. 
A bond had been forged between Connecticut and Seicheprey.
  In recognition of the 100th anniversary of this battle and as a way 
to strengthen that bond, the ``Digging Into History'' program was 
created. The program brought fifteen Connecticut high school students 
to Seicheprey to take part in a community service project to clear and 
restore a section of the trenches Connecticut soldiers occupied, with 
the goal of creating a historic attraction to help spur tourism in the 
region. The students worked with sixteen French students as well as 
military historians to clear vegetation from the trenches, re-dig 
sections and restore the trenches to how they appeared a century ago.
  It was an extraordinary opportunity for these young people, bringing 
the history of World War I to life for them, and today they are sharing 
that experience with the presentation of ``Digging Into History: Back 
From the Trenches.'' Having had visited Normandy and other such sites 
myself, I can imagine how thrilling this project must have been. Though 
Congressional business keeps me in Washington for the event in 
Hartford, I hope to be able to see the presentation myself soon.
  These fifteen young men and women have been incredible ambassadors 
for their communities, the State of Connecticut, and our nation. I am 
honored to have this opportunity to extend my heartfelt congratulations 
to them for their remarkable work on this project. I also want to 
extend my deepest thanks and appreciation to the Connecticut State 
Library for their work to organize this once in a lifetime experience 
for these young people. I have no doubt it is a journey they will never 
forget.

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