[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 149 (2003), Part 15]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 21054-21055]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




      HONORING THE CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY OF COLONEL CHARLES YOUNG

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. GEORGE RADANOVICH

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, September 3, 2003

  Mr. RADANOVICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the centennial 
anniversary of Colonel Charles Young's service as superintendent of 
Sequoia National Park. A ceremony was held in his honor at Sequoia 
National Park on Saturday, August 23.

[[Page 21055]]

  Colonel Young graduated from the United States Military Academy at 
West Point in 1884. While serving as a Captain in the Cavalry at the 
Presidio of San Francisco he received orders to take his troops to 
Sequoia National Park. In doing so, he became the first black 
superintendent of the park. His men, known as the ``Buffalo Soldiers'', 
were the all-black members of the 9th U.S. Cavalry. They completed the 
first road into the Giant Forest, constructed trails, and began active 
protection of the world's largest trees. Colonel Young later went on to 
have a successful career in a practically all white army. He was buried 
at Arlington National Cemetery with full honors.
  The ceremony will include a special rededication ceremony of the 
Booker T. Washington Tree, which Colonel Young named in 1903. People 
initially wanted to name the tree after Colonel Young to honor his 
service to the park; he refused and instead named the tree after his 
friend, Booker T. Washington. Sometime over the ensuing 99 years the 
sign on the tree disappeared and the tree became lost. Park staff was 
able to relocate the tree in 2002 utilizing historical photos of the 
tree and surrounding forest. The rededication ceremony will be used to 
highlight Colonel Young's accomplishments during Colonel Young's time 
as superintendent.
  Mr. Speaker, it is my pleasure to honor the centennial celebration of 
Colonel Charles Young. I urge my colleagues to join me in posthumously 
recognizing Colonel Charles Young for his dedication and service to 
Sequoia National Park.

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