[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 146 (2000), Part 12]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 17975-17976]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



      ACKNOWLEDGING LIFETIME OF PUBLIC SERVICE BY MR. EDWIN BEARSS

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JAMES P. MORAN

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                      Tuesday, September 12, 2000

  Mr. MORAN of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Mr. Edwin 
Bearss, a constituent of Virginia's Eighth District, who has recently 
retired after an impressive forty year career with the National Park 
Service and distinguished service in our nation's military.
  Since the birth of our nation, Virginia has been a cornerstone in 
American history, especially during the Civil War. The majority of the 
Civil War's significant engagements occurred on battlefields in 
Virginia. Ed Bearss illuminated the valuable, living history found on 
the Civil War battlefields of Virginia and elsewhere in our country. 
Those who have been privileged to hear Mr. Bearss recount the vivid 
history of our nation's Civil War consider him a national treasure.
  Ed Bearss began his service to our country during World War II as a 
Marine fighting in the Pacific. After recovering from wounds he 
suffered during battle in New Guinea, he took advantage of the G.I. 
Bill and received a degree from Georgetown University, as well as a 
masters degree in history from Indiana University.
  In 1955, Mr. Bearss joined the National Park Service and began to 
share his knowledge and passion for Civil War history. As a historian 
at Vicksburg, Mr. Bearss' research led to the discovery of the lost 
ironclad Cairo and

[[Page 17976]]

two forgotten Civil War forts. His desire for others to live history by 
touring battlefields inspired him to preserve the Manassas battlefields 
from the threat of shopping malls and two different amusement parks.
  Mr. Bearss set a new standard in historical research with his 
diligence and attention to detail. He has shared his research by 
writing ten books and over a hundred articles. His excellence as the 
chief historian of our nation's federal parks earned him the Department 
of the Interior's highest recognition, the Distinguished Service Award.
  To many, Ed Bearss' grandest accomplishment was his ability to bring 
a Civil War battlefield to life. He would dredge facts and stories from 
his immense store of knowledge and transport listeners back in time to 
when the actual battles took place. The energy with which Mr. Bearss 
gave his tours excited others to develop a passion for history. Mr. 
Bearss' work has helped many people realize the importance of 
preserving our nation's battlefields and the gravity of the battles 
fought at those sites. Fortunately for us and future generations, Mr. 
Bearss' historical gifts have been preserved by filmmaker Ken Burns, 
who included a number of Mr. Bearss' battlefield narrations in the 
award-winning PBS series, ``The Civil War.''
  Mr. Speaker and my fellow colleagues, I invite you to join me in 
honoring a man who has devoted his life to serving his country. Mr. 
Edwin Bears should be praised for the passion he brought to the history 
of our country and the ways he shared that passion. His legacy as an 
historian and his valuable contribution to the preservation of Civil 
War history are a tremendous gift to our nation that will last through 
time. Thank you, Ed Bearss, for sharing your talents with us for so 
many years. We wish you much happiness in your retirement and hope you 
will continue to enrich us with your vast knowledge and appreciation of 
our nation's history.

                          ____________________