[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 42 (Friday, March 8, 2024)]
[Senate]
[Pages S2332-S2333]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    SENATE RESOLUTION 585--RECOGNIZING THE 150TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE 
 HARRISON RESIDENCE, HOME OF BRIGADIER GENERAL AND PRESIDENT BENJAMIN 
               HARRISON AND FIRST LADY CAROLINE HARRISON

  Mr. BRAUN (for himself and Mr. Young) submitted the following 
resolution; which was considered and agreed to:

                              S. Res. 585

       Whereas, in 1874, construction began on the Italianate-
     style Harrison residence, carriage house, brick drive, and 
     landscaping;
       Whereas Brigadier General and President Benjamin Harrison 
     (referred to in this preamble as ``President Harrison'') and 
     First Lady Caroline Harrison chose every detail of the 
     Harrison residence, from the interior layout to the 
     Italianate red brick design;
       Whereas H. Brandt was the architect of the Harrison 
     residence and Petrie and Cummings were the excavators;
       Whereas the 10,000 square-foot Harrison residence was 
     finished in 1 year at a cost of $24,008.59, complete with 16 
     rooms, 3 stories, and a basement;
       Whereas 2-feet-thick Indiana limestone made up the basement 
     of the Harrison residence, and 380,552 bricks completed the 
     structure;
       Whereas the finest French plate windows were installed in 
     the Harrison residence, along with conveniences not enjoyed 
     by most Victorians, including--
       (1) running water;
       (2) a coal-fed furnace;
       (3) 23 working gaslight fixtures; and
       (4) 12-foot ceilings;
       Whereas President Harrison, Caroline, and their 2 children, 
     Russell and Mary, lived in the Delaware Street Harrison 
     residence;
       Whereas President Harrison held many of his famous front 
     porch speeches at the Harrison residence while running for 
     President in 1888;
       Whereas President Harrison resided in the Harrison 
     residence after returning from the presidency and passed away 
     in the residence on March 13, 1901;
       Whereas, in 1937, the Arthur Jordan Foundation purchased 
     the Harrison residence and furniture from Mary Lord Dimmick 
     Harrison, widow of President Harrison;
       Whereas the Harrison residence was used as a dormitory for 
     female students in the Jordan Conservatory of Music, housed 
     in a readapted home on a southern adjoining lot;
       Whereas the dormitory residents of the Harrison residence 
     gave tours of the first floor to the public;
       Whereas, in 1951, the Jordan Conservatory of Music moved to 
     Butler University, where it continued to be known as Jordan 
     College of the Arts;
       Whereas, in 1964, the Department of the Interior named the 
     Harrison residence a National Historic Landmark;
       Whereas, in 1966, the Arthur Jordan Foundation created the 
     President Benjamin Harrison Foundation to maintain and 
     operate the Harrison residence in accordance with the 
     statement of purpose;
       Whereas, in 2003, the President Benjamin Harrison 
     Foundation earned accreditation by the American Association 
     of Museums;
       Whereas, in 2010, the Board of Directors changed the name 
     of the President Benjamin Harrison Foundation to the Benjamin 
     Harrison Presidential Site (referred to in this preamble as 
     the ``Presidential Site'');
       Whereas, as of 2023, the Harrison residence has more than 
     30,000 visitors from across the country and world;
       Whereas the Presidential Site has raised more than 
     $6,800,000 in the capitol campaign ``Old Glory, New Vision'' 
     to make substantial renovations and improvements to the 
     historic structure and grounds of the Harrison residence;
       Whereas tens of thousands of students visit the Harrison 
     residence to learn more about the Federal Government;
       Whereas the Presidential Site has developed nationally 
     recognized programming, including Future Presidents of 
     America, Project POTUS, and Candlelight Theater; and
       Whereas the Harrison residence has become the location of 
     many special speakers, events, a naturalization ceremony site 
     for many citizens, and an election voting site: Now, 
     therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) celebrates the Harrison residence as a historic 
     landmark that preserves the history of Brigadier General and 
     President Benjamin Harrison (referred to in this resolution 
     as ``President Harrison''), the only President elected from 
     the State of Indiana, and the family of President Harrison;
       (2) recognizes the prominent role the Harrison residence, 
     as a museum, continues to play in civic education and 
     engagement for individuals of all ages through their programs 
     and endeavors;
       (3) recognizes the Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site for 
     its historical significance and community efforts in 
     involving the public of the United States with its system of 
     self-government; and
       (4) commemorates the 150th anniversary of the Harrison 
     residence, and as President

[[Page S2333]]

     Harrison himself said, ``Great lives do not go out. They go 
     on.''.

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