[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 154 (2008), Part 6]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 8936]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




   A TRIBUTE TO THE SONS OF THE REVOLUTION IN THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA

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                          HON. ADAM B. SCHIFF

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, May 13, 2008

  Mr. SCHIFF. Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the Sons of 
the Revolution in the State of California for 115 years of outstanding 
service to the people of the State of California and this great Nation.
  For more than a century, the American Heritage Library and Museum has 
been operated for the purpose of acquisition, conservation, study, 
exhibition, and educational interpretation of historical artifacts of 
the colonial and early periods of America's history. The American 
Heritage Library and Museum has preserved precious documents by 
focusing on historic figures who contributed to the history of the 
State of California, including but not limited to archival records, 
histories, books, rolls, documents, artifacts and works of art that 
increase and diffuse knowledge into these periods of history for the 
enrichment of the citizens of California.
  The preservation of our Nation's military heritage has always been of 
a primary concern of the Sons of the Revolution. When the Sons of the 
Revolution was formed, a National Archive did not exist. Originally, 
each branch and agency of the U.S. Government was responsible for 
maintaining its own documents, which often resulted in the loss and 
destruction of records. For almost 150 years, the Federal Government 
had virtually no method or place to safeguard historically important 
records. As a result, on November 8, 1810, fire destroyed most of the 
records of the American Army and Navy of the American Revolution in the 
custody of the War Department.
  As part of a national organization, composed solely of the posterity 
of those venerable men who, by their acts or counsel between April 19, 
1775, when the Revolutionary War commenced, and April 19, 1783, when 
that conflict ceased, in the military, naval or marine service of the 
United States, or in the service of the Continental Congress or the 
congress of any of the original 13 Colonies, helped achieve America's 
independence, these members of the Sons of the Revolution lobbied 
Congress for the passage of a law that directed the War Department to 
establish a national collection of both American Revolution and War of 
1812 records.
  Today, the main National Archives Building holds the original copies 
of the three main formative documents of the United States and its 
Government: The Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and the 
Bill of Rights, as well as Magna Carta. These are displayed to the 
public in the main chamber, called the Rotunda for the Charters of 
Freedom. The National Archives Building also exhibits other important 
American historical documents such as the Louisiana Purchase and the 
Emancipation Proclamation, as well as other historically and culturally 
significant American artifacts.
  The Sons of the Revolution's national efforts to preserve America's 
priceless heritage was not limited to the establishment of the National 
Archives. In the intervening years since the establishment of the 
National Archives, the Sons of the Revolution in the State of 
California and its members continued their efforts to preserve the 
records of both National and State significance and have assembled a 
collection of some 35,000 volumes of books and manuscripts which have 
been described as one of the best in its field. And, in keeping with 
the purpose of the Society, ``to collect and secure for preservation 
the rolls, records and other documents relating to that period,'' for 
over a century, the members of the Sons of the Revolution, through 
their patriotic spirit, love of country, and devotion to the principles 
on which our Nation was founded, have operated and maintained the 
American Heritage Library and Museum for the benefit and enjoyment of 
the people of California.
  It is because of these numerous accomplishments I rise today to 
recognize the Sons of the Revolution in the State of California for its 
115 years of service to the people of the State and I ask all Members 
of Congress to join me in congratulating the Sons of the Revolution for 
its outstanding service to the city of Glendale and surrounding 
communities.

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