Mr. Speaker, I intend to show my appreciation to the distinguished gentlewoman by revising and extending my remarks and also my respect and affection for the gentleman from New Mexico. I rise to…
Mr. Speaker, I intend to show my appreciation to the distinguished gentlewoman by revising and extending my remarks and also my respect and affection for the gentleman from New Mexico.
I rise to support the legislation. I urge the House to pass this legislation. It was the bloodiest battle. It commemorates the bloodiest battle in the history of Michigan, the bloodiest battle in the War of 1812, and the loss of 700 citizens and more, mostly from Kentucky, who came to Michigan to save it from the British and the Indians. The end result was that ``Remember the River Raisin'' became the battle cry in the War of 1812.
Our work today, I want you to know, makes a very important contribution to us remembering the history of Michigan, the history of the War of 1812 and matters important, not just to my people in Monroe, but to all of us.
I thank the gentleman from New Mexico and the distinguished gentlewoman from Guam and my friend, chairman of the committee, Mr. Pombo
Mr. Speaker, in six years our nation will mark the bicentennial of the War of 1812. The War of 1812 is one of the least studied, but most important episodes in our nation's history. Following the Revolutionary War, America was a weak nation and was preyed upon by Britain, France and Spain. Britain aimed to re-conquer the newly independent former colonies.
The legislation we are considering here today will preserve one of the most important stories of that war, the Battle of the River Raisin.
This legislation, quite simply, would direct the Secretary of the Interior to study the suitability of including the site of the River Raisin massacre into the National Park system.
The legislation already has support from the people of Monroe, Michigan, our governor, historians, archeologists and the National Park Service.
When the war broke out, it was expected that Britain would quickly defeat the poorly equipped and poorly trained Americans. Washington was burned, and British troops torched the Capitol.
Along the Western frontier, in what is today Michigan, Ohio and Kentucky, the war raged. When Detroit fell to the British a contingent of Kentuckians, under the direction of Gen. William Henry Harrison marched to retake the city.
On January 18, 1813 American forces crossed the River Raisin and attacked the British encampment on the other side. They forced the British to retreat. Four days later, British forces and their Native American allies counter-attacked. The Americans were routed.
When the British withdrew, they took with them any American who could travel as a prisoner. The injured were left. The next day, the Native allies returned and massacred the Americans and burned the surrounding town to the ground.
Of the 900 strong American force only 33 escaped death or capture. Throughout the American Army the cry ``Remember the Raisin'' rallied our troops. Soon thereafter, spurred by the memory of the Raisin, the Americans liberated Detroit and won the decisive Battle of the Thames in Ontario--guaranteeing America's victory in the war.
The River Raisin Battle is still the bloodiest battle ever in Michigan, and was the most violent battle on continental U.S. soil outside of the Civil War. It is an important episode in American history that needs to be recognized.
Since 1813, the site of the battle and massacre has been encroached upon increasingly by the town of Monroe. What was once a small farming settlement is now a bustling city.
Homes have been built where the American soldiers crossed the river. A factory, at one time, operated on the site; buildings were built and later torn down. Now, most of the land where the battle took place is in the possession of the City of Monroe and they want to make sure that it is protected for all Americans to visit.
The State of Michigan has provided $1 million for Brownfield redevelopment and rehabilitation of the site. The City of Monroe and the Monroe County Historical Society have each pledged $35,000 for the creation of a master plan for the entire battlefield site, and they will soon be applying for a Battlefield Protection Grant through the National Park Service.
A citizens' group has also formed to guide the development of the battlefield, raise funds for historic preservation and develop educational programs.
I am confident that the energy and commitment of the community would make this a wise inclusion into our National Park system.
I can think of no better way to honor the hundreds who gave their lives at the River Raisin than to make the site a permanent memorial to their bravery and sacrifice.
We need to do this in order to protect an important piece of our Nation's heritage.
