To authorize the Marion Park Project, a Committee of the Palmetto Conservation Foundation, to establish a commemorative work on Federal land in the District of Columbia, and its environs to honor Brigadier General Francis Marion.

Mr. Speaker, I am honored to join my colleagues-- Congressman Tom Davis of Virginia, Congressman Walter Jones of North Carolina, and Congressman Steny Hoyer of Maryland--to introduce a truly bipartisan resolution expressing support for the members of our Armed Forces and their families. In particular, this resolution offers support for those service members wounded or severely injured in service to the Nation, as well as support for the newly established Military Severely Injured Joint Support Operations Center. With the 2- year anniversary of Operation Iraqi Freedom arriving on March 19, I can think of no better way to salute our disabled and severely disabled troops who have returned home than the quick and bipartisan support of this resolution.

This resolution recognizes many efforts made by our brave men and women in uniform. It reaffirms our support for all members of the Armed Forces and their families. It acknowledges that all returning troops-- whether an active, National Guard or Reserve component--should be treated with the same degree of dignity and respect. It pledges our desire to help all injured, wounded, and severely disabled service members returning home by providing the assistance they require to navigate the complicated medical and bureaucratic processes to transition back to active duty or civilian life. Most important, this resolution specifically acknowledges the number of National Guard and Reserve components called for prolonged duty in today's military and pledges Congressional support to the Department of Defense Joint Support Center to ensure we take care of our own once we bring them home.

I applaud the action of the Department of Defense for establishing the Joint Support Center on February 1, 2005. I, along with Mr. Jones and Mr. Hoyer, proposed the same concept in H.R. 5057 in the 108th Congress. That bill was eventually introduced in the Senate by Senator Bond and Senator Kennedy. It received full endorsements from every major veterans' and military service organization. We are proud to see that effort taken up by the Pentagon and welcome the Joint Support Center. This resolution supports the Pentagon's initiative by expressing Congress's strong commitment to the center and our assistance in ensuring that the center receives the resources it needs to succeed in its mission.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to join me in passing this resolution quickly to send a clear message to our service men and women that the Members of the U.S. House of Representatives in the 109th Congress are firmly behind them.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 5057) to authorize the Marion Park Project and Committee of the Palmetto Conservation Foundation to establish a commemorative work on Federal land in the District of Columbia, and its environs to honor Brigadier General Francis Marion, as amended.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on the bill under consideration.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

H.R. 5057 introduced by Congressman Joe Wilson of South Carolina would authorize the Marion Park Project to establish a commemorative work on Federal land in the District of Columbia to honor Brigadier General Francis Marion. General Francis Marion, known as The Swamp Fox, was a Revolutionary War officer from South Carolina. He led a band of irregular fighters in the back- and low-country swamps of South Carolina to fight the British troops under Lord Cornwallis. He is generally credited as the father of guerilla warfare.

Marion Park in the District of Columbia is named after the famous general; however, there is very little recognition of the man himself at the park. The Marion Park Project was established in partnership with the nonprofit Palmetto Conservation Foundation with the goal of placing a monument to General Marion at the park. The group has coordinated this effort with the National Park Service and is now seeking authorization from Congress so the project may move forward. No Federal funds will be authorized for the establishment of the commemorative work, and the Marion Park Project will be responsible for raising the funds.

Finally, I would like to recognize the work of our colleague, Congressman Wilson, and the important contribution of Congressman Henry Brown in bringing this legislation to this House floor today, and I would urge my colleagues to support H.R. 5057.

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time and encourage my colleagues to support this legislation.

Mr. President, I would like to announce for the information of the Senate and the public that the following bills are added to the agenda for the Subcommittee on National Parks hearing for Wednesday, November 15, 2006 at 4 p.m. in room SD-366 of the Dirksen Senate Office Building in Washington, DC:

S. 2475, a bill to establish the Commission to Study the Potential Creation of a National Museum of the American Latino Community, to develop a plan of action for the establishment and maintenance of a National Museum of the American Latino Community in Washington, DC, and for other purposes; S. 2645, a bill to establish the Journey Through Hallowed Ground National Heritage Area, and for other purposes; S. 2822 and H.R. 5057, bills to authorize the Marion Park Project and Committee of the Palmetto Conservation Foundation to establish a commemorative work on Federal land in the District of Columbia and its environs to honor Brigadier General Francis Marion; S. 3805, a bill 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; and H.R. 323, a bill to redesignate the Ellis Island Library on the third floor of the Ellis Island Immigration Museum, located on Ellis Island in New York Harbor, as the ``Bob Hope Memorial Library''.

Because of the limited time available for the hearings, witnesses may testify by invitation only. However, those wishing to submit written testimony

for the hearing record should send two copies of their testimony to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, United States Senate, SD-364 Dirksen Senate Office Building, Washington, DC 20510-6150.

For further information, please contact Tom Lillie at (202) 224-5161, David Szymanski at (202) 224-6293, or Sara Zecher 202-224-8276.

committee on energy and natural resources

Mr. Speaker, I rise today as a supporter and chief sponsor of H.R. 5057, the ``Brigadier General Francis Marion Memorial Act.'' General Marion, more commonly known as The Swamp Fox, was a renowned patriot who represented my State of South Carolina and our fledgling Nation well with his brave service in the Revolutionary War. As a South Carolinian, I am proud his legacy has been honored with a memorial park here in Washington. This particularly is meaningful to me as General Marion and I share the heritage of French Hugenots who have contributed so much to American history. I am grateful that a statue of the Swamp Fox will be erected on its premises as an inspiration for our citizens. Passage of this bill is a crucial first step in making this dream a reality.

I would specifically like to thank Ken Driggers and Nancy Stone- Collum of the Palmetto Conservation Foundation, which serves as a conduit for the fundraising part of this process. Additionally, I would like to thank the South Carolina Humanities Council for supporting John McCabe, the enthusiastic histories who originally had the vision to honor the ``Swamp Fox.'' John created the Francis Marion Park Project to assist in the fundraising

and planning efforts, and I cannot be more pleased with the progress that has taken place. Also, the National Park Service deserves recognition for their guidance through this important process.

The entire South Carolina delegation, as well as Chairman Richard Pombo, have lent their support to this project. As such, I am confident our efforts will be successful.

In conclusion, God bless our troops and we will never forget September 11.

Mr. Speaker, H.R. 5057 is an important bill for my constituents in South Carolina's First Congressional District.

General Francis Marion is an important part of the history of South Carolina and the national forest bearing his name is located within my Congressional District.

Francis Marion commanded the only Revolutionary force in South Carolina and was instrumental in delaying the advance of British forces by leading his troops in disrupting supply lines. General Marion's tactics, which were unheard of in rules of warfare at this time, commanded lightening raids on British convoys, and then he and his forces would retreat into the swamps to avoid capture. British General Tarleton stated that ``as for this damned old swamp fox, the devil himself could not catch him.'' Thus, the legend of the ``Swamp Fox'' was born. His victory at the Battle of Eutaw Springs in September of 1771 was officially recognized by Congress.

H.R. 5057 seeks to authorize the Marion Park Project and the Committee of the Palmetto Conservation Foundation to establish a statue of General Francis Marion on Federal land in the District of Columbia in Marion Park at no Federal Government expense.

I was proud to work with Resources Chairman Pombo and National Parks Subcommittee Chairman Pearce to assist in the passage of this bill through the committee not only for my constituents in South Carolina's First District but for all South Carolinians.

I urge all of my colleagues to support H.R. 5057.