[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 155 (2009), Part 12]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 16808]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




HONORING THE MINUTE MAN NATIONAL HISTORICAL PARK ON THE OCCASION OF ITS 
                            50TH ANNIVERSARY

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. EDWARD J. MARKEY

                            of massachusetts

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, June 26, 2009

  Mr. MARKEY of Massachusetts. Madam Speaker, the resolution that I am 
introducing today with the gentlewoman from Massachusetts, Ms. Tsongas, 
honors the Minute Man National Historical Park in Massachusetts on its 
upcoming 50th anniversary. Since being established in September 1959, 
the Minute Man National Historical Park has played a vital role in 
protecting and preserving the historic sites in the towns of Lexington, 
Lincoln, and Concord, where the American Revolution began. As the July 
4th holiday approaches, it is fitting that we also have the opportunity 
to recognize Minute Man for its critical role in educating millions of 
Americans about the ideals of freedom and democracy that were embodied 
in the American Revolution and are the cornerstones of our Nation.
  The Minute Man National Historical Park recognizes the people, places 
and events that have become enduring symbols of our shared American 
values. The park includes many important sites and landscapes along the 
historic 22-mile route from Boston to Concord, known as the ``Battle 
Road'' where British soldiers and American militia first clashed on 
April 19, 1775. The park includes the famed North Bridge in Concord, 
MA, where American militia were first ordered to return British fire. 
This heroic action was commemorated by the great American laureate 
Ralph Waldo Emerson in ``The Concord Hymn'' as ``the shot heard round 
the world.'' The park commemorates Paul Revere's ``midnight ride'' on 
the night of April 18, 1775, to raise the alarm for the residents of 
Concord, Massachusetts, that the British were marching to destroy 
military stockpiles.
  The Minute Man National Historical Park continues to serve as a vital 
and enduring educational resource not only to the American people, but 
also to people all around the globe. The Minute Man National Historical 
Park plays a vital role in protecting these special places in 
Massachusetts where the fight for our democracy began and providing a 
true benefit to our Nation.

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