Wilson Reintroduces Legislation to Memorialize Brigadier General Francis Marion

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 16, 2007

CONTACT: Kim Olive
(202) 225-2452 (Office)
(202) 420-9493 (Cell)

Wilson Reintroduces Legislation to Memorialize Brigadier General Francis Marion

With the support of the entire South Carolina delegation, Congressman Joe Wilson (SC-02) today reintroduced the “Brigadier General Francis Marion Memorial Act.” The legislation authorizes the Marion Park Project, a committee of the Palmetto Conservation Foundation, to establish a commemorative work on Federal land in the District of Columbia to honor Brigadier General Francis Marion.

“Brigadier General Francis Marion well represented the state of South Carolina and our fledgling nation with his brave service in the Revolutionary War. As a South Carolinian, I am proud his legacy has been honored with a memorial park in Washington, D.C. Yet, I feel strongly that a statue of the ’Swamp Fox’ should be erected on its premises. Passage of this bill is a crucial first step in making this dream a reality.

“I would specifically like to thank Ken Driggers and Nancy Stone-Collum of the Palmetto Conservation Foundation. Additionally, I would like to thank the South Carolina Humanities Council for supporting John McCabe, the man who originally had the vision to honor the ’Swamp Fox.’ John created the Francis Marion Park Project to assist with fundraising and planning once this bill is enacted. The National Park Service also deserves recognition for their guidance through this important process.”

The “Brigadier General Francis Marion Memorial Act” was originally passed by the House of Representatives in the 109th Congress.

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