Washington-Rochameau Revolutionary Route National Historic Trail Designation Act

WASHINGTON-ROCHAMBEAU REVOLUTIONARY ROUTE NATIONAL HISTORIC TRAIL DESIGNATION ACT -- (House of Representatives - July 10, 2008)

Mr. COURTNEY. Mr. Chairman, I rise today in support of the Washington-Rochambeau Revolutionary Route National Historic Trail Designation Act, a wonderful piece of legislation which will preserve both our country's rich history but also its unique environment.

In the spring of 1781, French General Rochambeau and his army of nearly 5,300 men embarked on an expedition from Newport, Rhode Island, to Yorktown, Virginia, to aid General George Washington and the Continental Army in the American Revolutionary War. After traveling through Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Connecticut, General Rochambeau joined forces with General Washington in Philipsburg, New York, forming a Franco-American alliance. The Franco-American forces then traveled through New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, and Virginia, eventually arriving at Yorktown. At Yorktown, General Washington and the Continental Army, with the aid of General Rochambeau and his men, secured a decisive victory against General Cornwallis, effectively igniting a successful end to the American Revolutionary War and laying the groundwork for the creation of our new Nation.

Mr. Chairman, the Newport to Yorktown route that General Washington and General Rochambeau led their forces through reflects an indispensible piece of American history. Today, we have an opportunity to preserve this historically and ecologically significant route by passing the Washington-Rochambeau Revolutionary Route National Historic Trail Designation Act. The legislation, introduced by my esteemed colleague, Representative Maurice Hinchey, will amend the National Trails System Act to designate the route as a national historic trail. Under this legislation, the Washington-Rochambeau Revolutionary Route National Historic Trail will preserve a corridor approximately 600 miles long, from Newport to Yorktown in nine States and the District of Columbia. The Washington-Rochambeau Trail will include a section in my district in eastern Connecticut.

During General Rochambeau's journey to Yorktown, communities in Connecticut served an invaluable role with ensuring the success of General Rochambeau's mission, supplying necessary supplies to his troops. In June of 1781, General Rochambeau and his men began their march through Connecticut before joining forces with General Washington in Philipsburg, New York. In eastern Connecticut, the army established camps in Plainfield, Windham, and Bolton before arriving in Hartford. On the return trip, in October 1782, the Franco-American force again marched through the State after victory in Yorktown. In total, General Rochambeau's army made 47 stops in the State between the journey to and from Yorktown. The Washington-Rochambeau Trail will preserve these sites and educate residents and visitors on the significance of this piece of American history.

Mr. Chairman, as urban sprawl continues to threaten the integrity of this route, the passage of this legislation is needed now more than ever. Many of Connecticut's avid historians and devout naturalists are anxious to celebrate the bill's passage. As a cosponsor of this legislation, I ask my colleagues to join me in voting in favor of the Washington-Rochambeau Revolutionary Route National Historic Trail Designation Act, to ensure this historic route is preserved for current and future generations.

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