[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 158 (2012), Part 1]
[Senate]
[Page 438]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




     COMMEMORATING 105TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE BATTLE OF MILL SPRINGS

  Mr. BROWN of Ohio. Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that the 
Senate proceed to the consideration of S. Res. 357 submitted earlier 
today.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report the resolution by title.
  The legislative clerk read as follows:

       A resolution (S. Res. 357) commemorating the 105th 
     anniversary of the Battle of Mill Springs and the 
     significance of the battle to the Civil War.

  There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the 
resolution.
  Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, I rise to submit to my colleagues a 
resolution that is very important to the history of the Commonwealth of 
Kentucky and the history of our Nation. This resolution, S. Res. 357, 
sponsored by myself and my friend Senator Paul, commemorates the 150th 
anniversary of the Battle of Mill Springs and recognizes the 
significance of the great clash of the Civil War that took place there.
  On January 19, 1862, the Battle of Mill Springs spilled across 
Pulaski and Wayne Counties in southeastern Kentucky. It was the second-
largest battle to take place in the State, and involved over 10,000 
soldiers. More importantly, it was the first significant Union victory 
to happen in what was then considered the western theater of the Civil 
War. The Union's victory meant that the main Confederate defense line 
that had been anchored in eastern Kentucky was broken, freeing Union 
soldiers to move through Kentucky and into Tennessee.
  One hundred fifty years later, this battle is still a vital story in 
our Nation's history. That is why our resolution also salutes the Mill 
Springs Battlefield Association, which has worked hard to preserve the 
historic site and educate the public about what went on there. The Mill 
Springs Battlefield Association has a visitors' center, provides tours, 
displays Civil War artifacts and maintains a Civil War library. More 
than 50,000 visitors have traveled to see the preserved battlefield.
  So Mr. President, I am proud to submit this resolution to the United 
States Senate, and proud of the history we have preserved for posterity 
in Kentucky.
  Mr. BROWN of Ohio. I ask unanimous consent that the resolution be 
agreed to, the preamble be agreed to, and the motions to reconsider be 
laid upon the table.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  The resolution (S. Res. 357) was agreed to.
  The preamble was agreed to.
  The resolution, with its preamble, reads as follows:

                              S. Res. 357

       Whereas the Battle of Mill Springs, which took place on 
     January 19, 1862, in Pulaski and Wayne Counties in Kentucky, 
     was the first significant victory for the Union Army in the 
     Civil War, according to the National Park Service;
       Whereas Confederate General Felix Zollicoffer, who died at 
     the Battle of Mill Springs, was one of the first generals to 
     die in the Civil War;
       Whereas the Battle of Mill Springs was the second largest 
     battle to take place in Kentucky during the Civil War, 
     engaging over 10,000 soldiers;
       Whereas the outcome of the Battle of Mill Springs opened 
     the path for the Union Army to move through Kentucky and into 
     Tennessee, affecting the outcome of the Civil War;
       Whereas Mill Springs Battlefield has been designated as a 
     National Historic Landmark by the Department of the Interior;
       Whereas the Mill Springs Battlefield Association, along 
     with volunteers in the surrounding community, has made 
     significant strides in preserving the historic site of the 
     battle and educating the public about the historic event that 
     took place at that site;
       Whereas the Mill Springs Battlefield Association Visitor 
     Center provides visitors with battlefield tours, access to 
     Civil War artifacts, and a Civil War library; and
       Whereas more than 50,000 visitors have traveled to the 
     uniquely preserved battlefield, which spans nearly 500 acres: 
     Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) recognizes the 150th anniversary of the Battle of Mill 
     Springs;
       (2) recognizes--
       (A) the work of the Mill Springs Battlefield Association in 
     acquiring, preserving, and maintaining Mill Springs 
     Battlefield for posterity; and
       (B) the continuing effort of the Mill Springs Battlefield 
     Association to educate the public about this significant 
     historic event;
       (3) encourages the people of the United States to visit 
     Mill Springs Battlefield on the occasion of the 150th 
     anniversary of the Battle of Mill Springs; and
       (4) recognizes--
       (A) the contributions of the soldiers who fought in the 
     Battle of Mill Springs; and
       (B) the outcome of the Battle of Mill Springs, which helped 
     to preserve the union of the United States.

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