[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 152 (2006), Part 14]
[House]
[Pages 19222-19223]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




              RIVER RAISIN NATIONAL BATTLEFIELD STUDY ACT

  Mr. PEARCE. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the 
bill (H.R. 5132) to direct the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a 
special resource study to determine the suitability and feasibility of 
including in the National Park System certain sites in Monroe County, 
Michigan, relating to the Battles of the River Raisin during the War of 
1812, as amended.
  The Clerk read as follows:

                               H.R. 5132

       Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
     the United States of America in Congress assembled,

     SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

       This Act may be cited as the ``River Raisin National 
     Battlefield Study Act''.

     SEC. 2. SPECIAL RESOURCE STUDY, MONROE COUNTY, MICHIGAN, 
                   SITES RELATING TO BATTLES OF THE RIVER RAISIN.

       (a) Study Required.--The Secretary of the Interior shall 
     conduct a special resource study of sites in Monroe County, 
     Michigan, relating to the Battles of the River Raisin on 
     January 18 and 22, 1813, and their aftermath to determine--
       (1) the national significance of the sites; and
       (2) the suitability and feasibility of including the sites 
     in the National Park System.
       (b) Requirements.--The study conducted under subsection (a) 
     shall include the analysis and recommendations of the 
     Secretary on--
       (1) the effect on Monroe County, Michigan, of including the 
     sites in the National Park System; and
       (2) whether the sites could be included in an existing unit 
     of the National Park System.
       (c) Consultation.--In conducting the study under subsection 
     (a), the Secretary shall consult with--
       (1) appropriate Federal agencies and State and local 
     government entities; and
       (2) interested groups and organizations.
       (d) Applicable Law.--The study required under subsection 
     (a) shall be conducted in accordance with Public Law 91-383 
     (16 U.S.C. 1a-1 et seq.).
       (e) Report.--Not later than three years after the date on 
     which funds are first made available for the study, the 
     Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Resources of the 
     House of Representatives and the Committee on Energy and 
     Natural Resources of the Senate a report containing--
       (1) the findings of the study; and
       (2) any conclusions and recommendations of the Secretary.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from New 
Mexico (Mr. Pearce) and the gentlewoman from Guam (Ms. Bordallo) each 
will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from New Mexico.
  Mr. PEARCE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, H.R. 5132 directs the Secretary of the Interior to study 
the feasibility and suitability of including certain lands related to 
the Battle of the River Raisin during the War of 1812 in Monroe County, 
Michigan, as part of the National Park System.
  Currently, the main battlefield is occupied by an abandoned paper 
mill. The city of Monroe has received a $1 million grant to clean up 
the location in preparation for possible listing as a National Historic 
Landmark. The National Park Service testified that there is intact 
archaeological evidence of the battle and that this site has impressive 
integrity as a battlefield if it is preserved.
  I urge your support for H.R. 5132.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Ms. BORDALLO. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, while most Americans are aware of the significance of 
the Revolutionary War or the Civil War, the importance of the War of 
1812 is not as widely understood.
  The Dean of this House, Representative John Dingell, is to be 
commended for his experience and effectiveness in bringing this 
important legislation to the floor. It is always an honor to work with 
Mr. Dingell, and we urge our colleagues to support H.R. 5132.
  Mr. Speaker, it is now indeed my honor to yield as much time as he 
may consume to the distinguished gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Dingell), 
the Dean of this House and the sponsor of this legislation.
  Mr. DINGELL. Mr. Speaker, I intend to show my appreciation to the 
distinguished gentlewoman by revising and extending my remarks and also 
my respect and affection for the gentleman from New Mexico.
  I rise to support the legislation. I urge the House to pass this 
legislation. It was the bloodiest battle. It commemorates the bloodiest 
battle in the history of Michigan, the bloodiest battle in the War of 
1812, and the loss of 700 citizens and more, mostly from Kentucky, who 
came to Michigan to save it from the British and the Indians. The end 
result was that ``Remember the River Raisin'' became the battle cry in 
the War of 1812.
  Our work today, I want you to know, makes a very important 
contribution to us remembering the history of Michigan, the history of 
the War of 1812 and matters important, not just to my people in Monroe, 
but to all of us.
  I thank the gentleman from New Mexico and the distinguished 
gentlewoman from Guam and my friend, chairman of the committee, Mr. 
Pombo.
  Mr. Speaker, in 6 years our Nation will mark the bicentennial of the 
War of 1812. The War of 1812 is one of the least studied, but most 
important episodes in our Nation's history. Following the Revolutionary 
War, America was a weak Nation and was preyed upon by Britain, France 
and Spain. Britain aimed to re-conquer the newly independent former 
colonies.
  The legislation we are considering here today will preserve one of 
the most important stories of that war, the Battle of the River Raisin.
  This legislation, quite simply, would direct the Secretary of the 
Interior to study the suitability of including the site of the River 
Raisin massacre into the National Park system.
  The legislation already has support from the people of Monroe, 
Michigan, our governor, historians, archeologists and the National Park 
Service.
  When the war broke out, it was expected that Britain would quickly 
defeat the poorly equipped and poorly trained Americans. Washington was 
burned, and British troops torched the Capitol.
  Along the Western frontier, in what is today Michigan, Ohio and 
Kentucky, the war raged. When Detroit fell to the British a contingent 
of Kentuckians, under the direction of Gen. William Henry Harrison 
marched to retake the city.
  On January 18, 1813 American forces crossed the River Raisin and 
attacked the British encampment on the other side. They forced the 
British to retreat. Four days later, British forces and their Native 
American allies counter-attacked. The Americans were routed.

[[Page 19223]]

  When the British withdrew, they took with them any American who could 
travel as a prisoner. The injured were left. The next day, the Native 
allies returned and massacred the Americans and burned the surrounding 
town to the ground.
  Of the 900 strong American force only 33 escaped death or capture. 
Throughout the American Army the cry ``Remember the Raisin'' rallied 
our troops. Soon thereafter, spurred by the memory of the Raisin, the 
Americans liberated Detroit and won the decisive Battle of the Thames 
in Ontario--guaranteeing America's victory in the war.
  The River Raisin Battle is still the bloodiest battle ever in 
Michigan, and was the most violent battle on continental U.S. soil 
outside of the Civil War. It is an important episode in American 
history that needs to be recognized.
  Since 1813, the site of the battle and massacre has been encroached 
upon increasingly by the town of Monroe. What was once a small farming 
settlement is now a bustling city.
  Homes have been built where the American soldiers crossed the river. 
A factory, at one time, operated on the site; buildings were built and 
later torn down. Now, most of the land where the battle took place is 
in the possession of the City of Monroe and they want to make sure that 
it is protected for all Americans to visit.
  The State of Michigan has provided $1 million for Brownfield 
redevelopment and rehabilitation of the site. The City of Monroe and 
the Monroe County Historical Society have each pledged $35,000 for the 
creation of a master plan for the entire battlefield site, and they 
will soon be applying for a Battlefield Protection Grant through the 
National Park Service.
  A citizens' group has also formed to guide the development of the 
battlefield, raise funds for historic preservation and develop 
educational programs.
  I am confident that the energy and commitment of the community would 
make this a wise inclusion into our National Park system.
  I can think of no better way to honor the hundreds who gave their 
lives at the River Raisin than to make the site a permanent memorial to 
their bravery and sacrifice.
  We need to do this in order to protect an important piece of our 
Nation's heritage.
  Ms. BORDALLO. Mr. Speaker, I have no further speakers, and I yield 
back my time.
  Mr. PEARCE. Mr. Speaker, I have no additional speakers, and I yield 
back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from New Mexico (Mr. Pearce) that the House suspend the rules 
and pass the bill, H.R. 5132, as amended.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds having voted in favor 
thereof) the rules were suspended and the bill, as amended, was passed.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

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