|
|||||
| |
By Mr. DeWINE:
S.174. A bill to establish the Fallen Timbers Battlefield, Fort Meigs, and Fort Miamis National Historical Site in the State of Ohio; to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
THE FALLEN TIMBERS ACT
Mr. DeWINE. Mr. President, I rise today to introduce legislation that will designate the Fallen Timbers Battlefield, Fort Meigs, and Fort Miamis as National Historic Sites.
Mr. President, the people of northwest Ohio are committed to preserving the historic heritage of the United States and the State of Ohio, as well as that of their own community.
The truly national significance of the Battle of Fallen Timbers and Fort Meigs have been acknowledged already. In 1960, Fallen Timbers was designated as a National Historic Landmark. In 1969, Fort Meigs received this designation.
The Battle of Fallen Timbers is acknowledged by a the National Park Service as a culminating event in the history of the struggle for dominance in the old Northwest Territory.
Fort Meigs is recognized by the National Park Service as "the zenith of the British advance in the west as well as the maximum effort by Native forces under the Shawnee, Tecumseh, during the War of 1812."
For Miamis, which was attacked trice without success by British troops, led by General Henry Proctor, in the spring of 1813, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Recently, the National Park Service completed a special resource study examining the proposed National Historic Site designation and the suitability of these sites for inclusion in the National Park System.
The Park Service concluded that these sites were suitable for inclusion in the National Park System -- with non-Federal management and National Park Service assistance. The bill I am introducing today would act on that recommendation.
My legislation will accomplish the following:
Recognize and preserve the 185-acre Fallen Timbers Battlefield site:
Formalized the linkage between the Fallen Timbers Battlefield and Monument to Fort Meigs and Fort Miamis;
Preserve and interpret U.S. military history and Native American culture during the period from 1794 through 1813; and,
Provide technical assistance to the State of Ohio as well as interested groups in the development and implementation of programming and interpretation of the three sites.
However, my legislation will not require the Federal Government to provide direct funding to these three sites. That responsibility remains with -- and is welcomed by -- the many individuals, community groups, elected officials, and others who deserve recognition for their many hours of hard work dedicated to this issue.
Mr. President, we have entered an era where the responsibility and the drive behind the management, programming, and -- in many cases -- the funding for historic preservation is the responsibility of local community groups, local elected officials, and local business communities.
This legislation to designate the Fallen Timbers Battlefield, Fort Meigs, and Fort Miamis as National Historic Sites represents just such an effort. In my opinion, it is long overdue.
Mr. President, it is time to grant these truly historic areas the measure of respect and recognition they deserve. I agree with the National Park Service -- and the people of Ohio -- on this issue. That is why I am proposing this important legislation today.
Senator Michael DeWine. "(S. 174) Fallen Timbers Act," Congressional Record (22 Jan 1977). Daily Ed. S550.
Heidelberg College / Office of College Relations
/ webmaster@heidelberg.edu