Mr. Speaker, as you know, I have introduced legislation to reestablish the public holiday for George Washington's Birthday from the third Monday of February to the actual date of Washington's birth…
Mr. Speaker, as you know, I have introduced legislation to reestablish the public holiday for George Washington's Birthday from the third Monday of February to the actual date of Washington's birth on February 22. I have long admired President Washington and have found inspiration in public service from studying his life. Few know that his first political office was representing Winchester, Virginia, in the Virginia House of Burgesses. I am proud to say Winchester is in the 10th Congressional District of Virginia.
Earlier this month I spoke to the third grade classes at Waterford Elementary School in Loudoun County. When I brought my effort to move the holiday back to President Washington's actual birthday the children cheered. Then their teachers asked what their students could do help get the legislation passed.
I want to enter into the Record a resolution drafted and signed by all the students in the class that says that George Washington's Birthday should be observed on February 22, rather than the third Monday in February each year. The complete resolution reads:
Resolution in Support of Congressman Wolf's Bill To Make February 22
the Official Holiday of George Washington's Birthday
We are gathered today in third grade at Waterford
Elementary School, in historic Waterford within the County of
Loudoun, in the Commonwealth of Virginia, to affirm
Congressman Wolf's proposed bill to honor George Washington,
and
We have learned of Congressman Wolf's initiative to
celebrate the significance of President Washington's birth to
the birth of our nation, honoring his unparalleled role in
American History; instilling in the American people a deeper
desire to learn more about this great man:
Whereas, as General and Commander in Chief of the
Continental Army, Washington led the Patriots to victory in
the Revolutionary War. Absent this, the United States may
have never been born, and
Whereas, following his dreams of a free and democratic
country, Washington refused to become a king and refused to
serve more than two terms as president. He pioneered the
qualities of our government that helped to establish clear
roles of its leaders by establishing a system of checks and
balances, and
Whereas, Washington's efforts and actions led to the design
and construction of our capital city. Washington, himself,
laid the cornerstone of our U.S. Capitol, and
Whereas, our first and one of the greatest presidents, was
president of the Continental Congress, a key author of the
Constitution, and an instrumental force in uniting the
thirteen colonies, and
Whereas, Washington was the ONLY president unanimously
nominated for that office by the electoral college for both
his first and second terms, and
Whereas, Washington, a man of incredible vision, freed his
own slaves in his will, foreshadowing an identical outcome
nation-wide on September 22, 1862, and
Whereas, George Washington, the father of country, is
admired and honored by all who know the significance of his
contributions.
Now, therefore, be it resolved to pass H.R. 681: to amend
title 5, United States Code, to provide that Washington's
Birthday be observed on February 22, rather than the third
Monday of February of each year.
Be it further resolved to tell Congressman Wolf how much
his inspiration, wisdom, determination, and unfailing support
for honoring George Washington means to us; and how grateful
we are or his service.
Respectfully Submitted: Riley E. White, Paige E. Wenham,
Clay Ash, Kierstin G. Culp, Reggie Norton, Matt Chmielewski,
Jackson Allgood, Aiden Akers, Kevin Beach, Ava Fahrner, Luke
Jenkins, Connor Thurston, Joseph T. Ravese, Barrett Ralston,
Haley Oliver, Maxwell Twyford, Ava Mumaw, Charlotte
Fiorentino, Emma Vest, Lily Kelly, Cole Gormont, Claire
Thurston, Ian T. Watson, Susan H. Verdin Teacher, Stephanie
R. Wang, Wynn Drenning, Blake Earles, Luke Malonis, Henry E.
Dinger, Cash Croft, Grace Gavlinski, Madeline Shea, Collin
Price, Anthony Alfaro, Corey Schaeffer, and Evelyn B. Hale
Teacher,
The third graders at Waterford Elementary aren't alone in
their support of H.R. 681. Two-time Pulitzer Prize winning
history author David McCullough, Washington historian Ron
Chernow, historians Peter Henriques and Richard Bookhiser and
scholar and history professor Gordon Wood also support the
bill, as does George Washington's Mount Vernon Estate. On
June 2, 2014, I received the following letter from Curt
Viebranz, the president of Mount Vernon:
Dear Congressman Wolf: Thank you for introducing H.R. 681
to restore the nation's official observance of George
Washington's Birthday on February 22, the actual date of his
birth 282 years ago. We at Mount Vernon enthusiastically
support this important legislative effort!
As you are well aware, the Mount Vernon Ladies' Association
was created to save George Washington's home from potential
ruin and maintain this priceless landmark for the good of the
American people. We have worked tirelessly for more than 150
years to keep Washington's extraordinary legacy alive, and we
accomplish this solely through private donations--we do not
accept any government funds. Just last year, we opened the
Fred W. Smith National Library for the Study of George
Washington which offers a remarkable new platform to expand
our scholarship and educational outreach for visitors both on
the estate and online. We strongly believe that a true
patriotic celebration of Washington's birthday would help
return George Washington to a place of prominence in our
national consciousness--a goal for which we have been
striving for many years.
Today several states, the media, advertisers, and the
general public have abandoned recognition of Washington's
birthday and replaced it with a commercial ``shopping
holiday'' that leaves American history, heroes, and
patriotism by the side of the road. The holiday was far more
meaningful when it revolved around George Washington and
schools and families focused on Washington's sterling example
of character and leadership.
Americans should learn from example and celebrate and
appreciate our heroes. Our Founding Fathers and subsequent
leaders were surely clear on this point. President John F.
Kennedy stated, ``History is the means by which a nation
establishes its sense of identity and purpose.'' President
Harry Truman emphasized this point as well when he said,
``The only thing new in the world is the history you don't
know.''
Restoring the official celebration of Washington's birthday
would be a great place to start. We look forward to the day
when, once again, February 22 is marked by patriotic
festivities and lessons about George Washington which can
teach and inspire American leaders of today and tomorrow.
As our nation's foremost founding father, Washington is
relevant to each new generation because his prominent
character traits--undaunted courage, unabashed patriotism,
reasoned judgment, a profound sense of civic responsibility,
and a deep, selfless commitment to country--never go out of
style. Educating the children of America about the life and
leadership of George Washington is an important investment in
the future of our nation.
Your efforts are particularly important because as noted
author and keynote speaker at our Library's opening
ceremonies David McCullough has said many times, we are
``raising a generation of historically illiterate children.''
Surveys and focus groups validate this problem and show that
most Americans recognize the face of Washington on their
dollar bills, but they don't know much about him. This is a
real cause for concern about the future of our nation It is
our duty and privilege to teach today's young people about
George Washington's leadership with the hope that they will
follow in his footsteps. Enactment of your legislation would
go a long way toward emphasizing the importance of
remembering the Father of Our Country.
We are inspired in countless ways by George Washington's
example as the indispensable man. He served as Commander in
Chief of the Continental Army through the eight long years of
the War of Independence. The people then showed their
overwhelming support for him as he was unanimously elected as
president of the Constitutional Convention and to two terms
as our new nation's first president. As you know, the
unanimous election of a President of the United States has
never occurred since.
A true celebration of Washington's birthday would encourage
Americans to reflect on the distinguishing qualities of his
leadership. For example, Washington was willing to sacrifice
the life he loved at Mount Vernon time and time again when he
was called to serve his country. Perhaps more than anyone in
American history, he understood and valued patriotic duty.
Another admirable trait was his willingness to give up
power. In a time when great leaders were marked by their
ability to gain and keep as much power as possible, George
Washington willingly stepped down as the Commander in Chief
of the Continental Army as well as after his second term as
president. He could have been elected again and again, but
his peaceful transition of power demonstrated that democracy
really worked and established a new definition of power. He
truly believed in the concept of liberty where the power
rested with the people. What an important lesson even for the
leaders of today!
The celebration of George Washington's Birthday on February
22 will help return the Father of Our Country to his position
as ``First in War, First in Peace, and First in the Hearts of
his Countrymen,'' as Light-Horse Harry Lee said so many years
ago. George Washington's sterling example of character and
leadership provides the opportunity to refresh and inspire
our country as we face formidable challenges both at home and
abroad.
Thank you again for your efforts in introducing H.R. 681.
The Mount Vernon Ladies' Association stands behind you in
this patriotic pursuit.
Sincerely,
Curtis G. Viebranz,
President.
My legislation is not without precedent. In 1975, Congress amended the Uniform Monday Holiday Act and President Gerald R. Ford signed legislation into law returning the annual observance of Veterans Day from the fourth Monday in November to its original date of November 11, beginning in 1978. The restoration of the observance of Veterans Day to November 11 not only preserves the historical significance of the date, but helps focus attention on the important purpose of Veterans Day as a celebration to honor America's veterans for their patriotism, love of country, and willingness to serve and sacrifice for the common good.
There is a reason the birthday of President George Washington is the only legal federal holiday observed for a president of the United States. He is called the ``father of our country'' because he is without compare in our nation's history. Washington's Birthday has been celebrated since the final days of the Revolutionary War. French and American troops paraded through Newport, Rhode Island, in 1781 and celebrations were held in Richmond, Virginia, in 1782. Organized by French General Rochambeau and others who knew him personally, these celebrations drew special attention to the bravery, courage, leadership and perseverance of the Revolutionary War hero. From the beginning of our country, the importance of this day has been recognized. As President James Buchanan said in 1860, ``. . . when the birthday of Washington shall be forgotten, liberty will have perished from
the earth.'' In response, President Rutherford B. Hayes signed legislation in 1879 that made Washington's Birthday a holiday for District federal workers. The holiday was extended to all federal workers in 1885.
Sadly, the celebration of President Washington's unparalleled role in American history has been lost and I believe Congress has unwittingly contributed to this lack of historical understanding by relegating Washington's birthday to the third Monday in February to take advantage of a three-day weekend. It is time to change the focus of the holiday from celebrating sales at the mall to celebrating the significance of President Washington's birth and the birth of our nation. I urge the House to take up this bill and pass it.
