Burns Comments on Renaming of Savannah Federal Courthouse

Washington, D.C. - U.S. Representative Max Burns (GA-12) made the following comments during today's House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure markup regarding the passage of H.R. 2523, which will rename Savannah's federal courthouse the "Tomochichi United States Courthouse."

"I would like to thank Chairman Young and Ranking Member Oberstar for bringing H.R. 2523 before this committee. This bill renames the Federal Courthouse in my district the Tomochichi United States Courthouse."

"The courthouse was originally constructed in 1899, and expanded in 1930. While it is historic, it is also in need of considerable repair and expansion, which may also include the construction of a new annex facility."

"The name comes from the Mico, or chief, of the Yamacraw tribe, who met the English settlers at the foot of the bluff on which the city of Savannah was later constructed. This Native American gave the colonists permission to settle in the area undisturbed when they arrived on shore at Savannah on February 12, 1733. He also became a lifelong friend of General James Oglethorpe, who founded the thirteenth colony, my home state of Georgia. Among Savannahians, the hospitality of Tomochichi and his tribe are legendary to this day," Burns said.

H.R. 2523 passed the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure by a unanimous voice vote.