Commemorating the 400th Anniversary of the Jamestown Settlement

Floor Speech

COMMEMORATING THE 400TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE JAMESTOWN SETTLEMENT -- (House of Representatives - May 08, 2007)

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 117) commemorating the 400th Anniversary of the settlement of Jamestown.

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks.

The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the gentleman from Illinois?

There was no objection.

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

Mr. Speaker, as a member of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, I am pleased to join my colleague in the consideration of H. Con. Res. 117, a bill that commemorates the 400th anniversary of the founding of the Jamestown settlement.

H. Con. Res. 117, which has 77 cosponsors, was introduced by Representative Jo Ann Davis of Virginia on April 18, 2007. H. Con. Res. 117 was reported from the Oversight Committee on May 1, 2007, by a voice vote.

On May 14, 1607, Indians of the Powhatan tribe of Virginia saw three English sailing ships approaching their land. The 214 people on board of the Susan Constant, the Discovery, and the Godspeed had departed from London 5 months earlier. They would establish on the banks of the James River what would become America's first English settlement in the new world.

While disease, famine, and continuing attacks from neighboring Indians took a tremendous toll on the settlers, only 60 of the original settlers survived just 2 years after arriving in America, England sent another three ships that arrived with supplies and new settlers to help stabilize the colony.

Jamestown survived because the colonists worked together to cultivate the swamp-like land of the Virginia island and made it suitable for the growing of tobacco. By 1620 Jamestown had shipped almost 50,000 pounds of tobacco to England. Fifty years later Virginia and Maryland would ship 15 million pounds. Jamestown depended upon its agricultural products and trade to flourish as a new colony in America.

Last Friday, on May 4, Queen Elizabeth II visited a tourist village at Jamestown to celebrate the 400th anniversary of the founding of America's first English settlement. The Queen's last visit to Jamestown was 50 years ago. Jamestown represented a government that reflected many of our Nation's democratic ideals and institutions, including the rule of law and free enterprise.

Mr. Speaker, I commend my colleague for seeking to commemorate the 400th anniversary of Jamestown and urge swift passage of this resolution.

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, let me just say that I would hope to be one of those millions who visit Jamestown this year to celebrate its 400th anniversary. I commend Representative Jo Ann Davis for introducing this legislation, and I urge its passage.

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Source