Captain John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail Designation Act

CAPTAIN JOHN SMITH CHESAPEAKE NATIONAL HISTORIC TRAIL DESIGNATION ACT -- (House of Representatives - December 05, 2006)

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Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 5466. Next year the Commonwealth of Virginia and our great Nation will celebrate the 400th anniversary of the founding of Jamestown, the first English permanent settlement in North America. Designating the Captain John Smith National Chesapeake Historical Trail is an important component of this historic celebration.

The trail traces the route of Captain John Smith on his exploration voyage of the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries. Captain Smith and his crew of just one dozen men traveled nearly 3,000 miles along the Chesapeake Bay, and it was Captain John Smith's 1612 map which was the first accurate depiction of the Chesapeake Bay region.

Next year the entire world will help us celebrate this historic anniversary, and Virginia is preparing a year-long celebration. The Captain John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail will highlight the Chesapeake Bay, and the passage of the bill prior to the 400th anniversary celebration is extremely important.

I would like to thank the bill's sponsor, my distinguished colleague from Virginia (Mrs. Jo Ann Davis) for her distinguished leadership in this effort. I would also like to thank the House leadership and committee leadership on both sides of the aisle for working to bring this important bill to the floor before the House adjourns.

I urge my colleagues to support the legislation

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