[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 156 (2010), Part 8]
[House]
[Pages 11788-11789]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                              CAROLINA DAY

  (Mr. WILSON of South Carolina asked and was given permission to 
address the House for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. WILSON of South Carolina. Mr. Speaker, today all across South 
Carolina, residents are celebrating Carolina Day to commemorate the 
brave South Carolina patriots who defeated the British fleet on June 
28, 1776, promoting American independence.
  This victory saved Charleston from British occupation for another 4 
years. It occurred at the first fort on Sullivan's Island, later named 
after its commander, Colonel William Moultrie. The battle at Fort 
Moultrie is known as the first decisive victory by American 
Revolutionaries.
  This battle is just one example of the direct role South Carolina 
played in the Revolutionary War. Throughout the War for Independence, 
more than 200 battles and engagements took place in South Carolina, 
more than any other province.
  One popular symbol of South Carolina's leadership in the Revolution 
is still seen today throughout the world: the yellow Gadsden Flag that 
reads, ``Don't Tread on Me.''
  In 1775, Colonel Christopher Gadsden was representing South Carolina 
in the Continental Congress as five companies of Marines were about to 
join the Navy to intercept British ships. History has recorded that 
Colonel Gadsden presented his flag to the new commander-in-chief of the 
Navy, Commodore Esek Hopkins, before this critical mission.
  In conclusion, God bless our troops, and we will never forget 
September 11th in the global war on terrorism.
  Best wishes to the USC Gamecocks in the College World Series tonight 
at Omaha, Nebraska.

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