110th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 497
AN ACT
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.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United
States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the `Brigadier General Francis Marion Memorial
Act of 2007'.
SEC. 2. COMMEMORATIVE WORK TO HONOR BRIGADIER GENERAL FRANCIS MARION AND
HIS FAMILY.
(a) Findings- The Congress finds that:
(1) Francis Marion was born in 1732 in St. John's Parish, Berkeley County,
South Carolina. He married Mary Esther Videau on April 20th, 1786. Francis
and Mary Esther Marion had no children, but raised a son of a relative
as their own, and gave the child Francis Marion's name.
(2) Brigadier General Marion commanded the Williamsburg Militia Revolutionary
force in South Carolina and was instrumental in delaying the advance of
British forces by leading his troops in disrupting supply lines.
(3) Brigadier General Marion's tactics, which were unheard of in rules
of warfare at the time, included lightning raids on British convoys, after
which he and his forces would retreat into the swamps to avoid capture.
British Lieutenant Colonel 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.
(4) His victory at the Battle of Eutaw Springs in September of 1781 was
officially recognized by Congress.
(5) Brigadier General Marion's troops are believed to be the first racially
integrated force fighting for the United States, as his band was a mix
of Whites, Blacks, both free and slave, and Native Americans.
(6) As a statesman, he represented his parish in the South Carolina senate
as well as his State at the Constitutional Convention.
(7) Although the Congress has authorized the establishment of commemorative
works on Federal lands in the District of Columbia honoring such celebrated
Americans as George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, and Abraham Lincoln,
the National Capital has no comparable memorial to Brigadier General Francis
Marion for his bravery and leadership during the Revolutionary War, without
which the United States would not exist.
(8) Brigadier General Marion's legacy must live on. Since 1878, United
States Reservation 18 has been officially referred to as Marion Park.
Located between 4th and 6th Streets, S.E., at the intersection of E Street
and South Carolina Avenue, S.E., in Washington, DC, the park lacks a formal
commemoration to this South Carolina hero who was important to the initiation
of the Nation's heritage.
(9) The time has come to correct this oversight so that future generations
of Americans will know and understand the preeminent historical and lasting
significance to the Nation of Brigadier General Marion's contributions.
Such a South Carolina hero deserves to be given the proper recognition.
(b) Authority to Establish Commemorative Work- The Marion Park Project,
a committee of the Palmetto Conservation Foundation, may establish a commemorative
work on Federal land in the District of Columbia and its environs to honor
Brigadier General Francis Marion and his service.
(c) Compliance With Standards for Commemorative Works- The commemorative
work authorized by subsection (b) shall be established in accordance with
chapter 89 of title 40, United States Code (commonly known as the `Commemorative
Works Act').
(d) Use of Federal Funds Prohibited- Federal funds may not be used to pay
any expense of the establishment of the commemorative work authorized by
subsection (b). The Marion Park Project, a committee of the Palmetto Conservation
Foundation, shall be solely responsible for acceptance of contributions
for, and payment of the expenses of, the establishment of that commemorative
work.
(e) Deposit of Excess Funds- If, upon payment of all expenses of the establishment
of the commemorative work authorized by subsection (b) (including the maintenance
and preservation amount provided for in section 8906(b) of title 40, United
States Code), or upon expiration of the authority for the commemorative
work under chapter 89 of title 40, United States Code, there remains a balance
of funds received for the establishment of that commemorative work, the
Marion Park Project, a committee of the Palmetto Conservation Foundation,
shall transmit the amount of the balance to the Secretary of the Treasury
for deposit in the account provided for in section 8906(b)(1) of such title.
(f) Definitions- For the purposes of this section, the terms `commemorative
work' and `the District of Columbia and its environs' have the meanings
given to such terms in section 8902(a) of title 40, United States Code.
Passed the House of Representatives March 5, 2007.
Attest:
Clerk.
110th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 497
AN ACT
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.
END
