Designating the George C. Marshall Museum and George C. Marshall Research Library in Lexington, Virginia, as the National George C. Marshall Museum and Library.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to urge passage of H. Con. Res. 33. This resolution would designate the George C. Marshall Museum and the George C. Marshall Research Library in Lexington, Virginia, as the National George C. Marshall Museum and Library.

I would like to thank Chairwoman Foxx, Ranking Member Scott, and Mr. Brat for their work in bringing this legislation to the floor today.

It is only fitting that we consider this resolution on the week of the 70th anniversary of George C. Marshall's speech at Harvard University where he proposed a comprehensive foreign assistance program--later coined as the Marshall Plan--to help rebuild the war- torn and devastated economies in Western Europe after World War II.

General George Catlett Marshall dedicated his life to public service--serving honorably in the United States Army, as Army Chief of Staff during World War II, Special Ambassador to China, Secretary of State, and Secretary of Defense. He was one of only five five-star generals ever to serve in our military.

From his allied plan to storm the beaches of Normandy to the Marshall Plan, his leadership changed the world. The history of the United States and the global community would be a different place if not for the contributions of General Marshall.

At the recommendation of former President Harry Truman, the Marshall Foundation was established in 1953. On May 23, 1964, the Marshall Museum and Library was dedicated on the post of the Virginia Military Institute--General Marshall's alma mater.

For over 50 years, the Marshall Foundation has devoted its mission to educating the public about the important contributions of General Marshall.

The museum has five extensive exhibits and houses General Marshall's 1953 Nobel Peace Prize. The research library collects, preserves, and shares the largest collection of documents pertaining to General Marshall's life.

Just last year, the Marshall Foundation reached a huge milestone with the completion of the Papers of George Catlett Marshall. This project began in 1977 with a goal to create a published record of every document that General Marshall produced. The final project consists of 7 volumes and includes 4,260 documents spanning over 5,666 pages.

In addition to its extensive research work, the Marshall Foundation provides educational opportunities for college students and future military leaders.

The Marshall Undergraduate Scholars program sends college history students to the Marshall Foundation to conduct primary research in the library's archives. The Marshall Army ROTC Award Seminar also provides the top ROTC cadet at each college in the United States the opportunity to participate in a national security conference with fellow award recipients and current Army leaders. The Marshall-Arnold Air Force ROTC Award Seminar provides a similar opportunity to top senior cadets at each college with an Air Force ROTC program.

Two years ago, the Marshall Foundation began the Marshall Legacy Series--this multiyear series of exhibits, lectures, and events to showcase General Marshall's contributions during the 20th century, and connects those contributions to today's world.

This is just a snapshot of the important work the Marshall Foundation conducts to honor and preserve the legacy of General Marshall. I am honored to have such a distinguished institution in my district, the Sixth Congressional District of Virginia.

General Marshall once said: ``Sincerity, integrity, and tolerance are, to my mind, the first requirements of many to a fine, strong character.''

I applaud the Marshall Foundation's work in sharing Marshall's vision and character with a new generation of Americans. I urge passage of this resolution to honor one of America's most sincere and distinguished public servants by congressionally designating the museum and library in Lexington, Virginia, as the National George C. Marshall Museum and Library.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 33) designating the George C. Marshall Museum and George C. Marshall Research Library in Lexington, Virginia, as the National George C. Marshall Museum and Library.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on H. Con. Res. 33.

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Con. Res. 33, a resolution that designates the George C. Marshall Museum and George C. Marshall Research Library in Lexington, Virginia, as the National George C. Marshall Museum and Library.

George C. Marshall was one of America's most distinguished soldiers, a dedicated statesman, and a genuine peacemaker. General Marshall served as Army Chief of Staff during World War II, Special Ambassador to China, and Secretaries of both the Departments of State and Defense. He was promoted to General of the Army in 1944--one of only nine individuals in our Nation's history to rise to the rank of a five-star officer--and was also awarded the Congressional Gold Medal in 1946.

In addition, General Marshall was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1953 for developing the European economic recovery strategy known as the Marshall Plan, which was essential to bringing peace to the postwar European continent.

To honor the legacy of such an accomplished man, the George C. Marshall Foundation was created in 1953, to pay tribute to General Marshall's contributions to our Nation and the world during some of the most perilous and tumultuous times of the 20th century. The Marshall Foundation preserves this legacy through educational facilities and scholarship programs.

The George C. Marshall Foundation opened the George C. Marshall Museum and George C. Marshall Research Library in 1964, in Lexington, Virginia, on the post of the Virginia Military Institute, the alma mater of General Marshall. The library provides scholars with a documented record of the life of General Marshall and his public service, and the museum shares his inspiring story with visitors through exhibitions, artifacts, and educational programs.

General Marshall's contributions to our Nation and our world cannot be overstated, and I hope to see this resolution adopted to designate the George C. Marshall Museum and George C. Marshall Research Library as the National George C. Marshall Museum and Library.

Both institutions work tirelessly to highlight and share General Marshall's work and service, and this is a fitting tribute to a man who spent a lifetime faithfully and courageously serving his country at home and abroad.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this resolution, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Goodlatte).

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased we are advancing a bipartisan proposal today, one that means a great deal to the people in my home State of Virginia, to designate the George C. Marshall Museum and Library as the National George C. Marshall Museum and Library. We do this to honor a great American hero and his enduring legacy.

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

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Con. Res. 33, designating the George C. Marshall Museum and George C. Marshall Research Library in Lexington, Virginia, as the National George C. Marshall Museum and Library. I appreciate my good friend, the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Goodlatte), for sponsoring the resolution and note that the entire Virginia delegation has signed on as original cosponsors.

General George C. Marshall is a national hero, a distinguished public servant, and treasured piece of Virginia's history. Located in Lexington, Virginia, the George C. Marshall Museum and Library are located on the campus of the Virginia Military Institute, his alma mater.

General Marshall served our country as the Chief of Staff during World War II, Special Ambassador to China, Secretary of State, president of the Red Cross, Secretary of Defense, and is one of only five Army five-star generals in the United States.

After World War II, General Marshall was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1953, for his role in developing the European Recovery Program better known as the Marshall Plan. This week we are commemorating the 70th anniversary of the Marshall Plan speech given on June 5, 1947, at Harvard University. The Marshall Plan contributed to European integration and growth in the aftermath of World War II.

As the holder of the George C. Marshall papers and with a mission to collect, preserve, and share information regarding the life and career of General Marshall, it is apt to make this institution the National George C. Marshall Museum and Library.

Mr. Speaker, considering the important place in our Nation's history that General Marshall holds, I urge my colleagues to support the resolution, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I thank my Virginia colleagues for their leadership, and I urge my colleagues to support the resolution.

Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.