BOSTON – Senator John Kerry, Congressman Ed Markey and Congresswoman Niki Tsongas today introduced a Resolution honoring the Minute Man National Historical Park, on its 50th Anniversary.
 
“By preserving landmarks from our earliest days, Minuteman Park has brought alive the story of our country’s birth for millions of visitors,” said Sen. Kerry. “We owe the Park a big thank you for its efforts to protect our rich history for the educational benefit of future generations.”
 
“Since its inception 50 years ago, Minute Man National Historical Park has educated millions of people not just about the momentous events of those spring days in April 1775, but about the ideals of liberty, freedom and self-determination which remain the core of our American character,” said Markey. “America’s story of independence continues to be a source of inspiration to people all over the world. The Minute Man National Historical Park ensures that these iconic places will be preserved so that future generations can learn about the role that Lexington, Lincoln, Concord and ‘every Middlesex village and farm’ played in the birth of our nation.”
 
Rep. Tsongas said, "Minuteman National Historical Park was created so that current and future generations of Americans can learn about the important role this site played in the birth of our nation. For fifty years now, millions of visitors have come to the park to see first hand where the American Revolution began and to pay tribute to a group of ordinary citizens whose bravery and beliefs gave rise to the liberties and freedoms that we enjoy today.  I am pleased that we are able to honor the Park's 50th anniversary with expected passage of a similar resolution in the House today and the introduction of this measure in the Senate."
 
The Minute Man National Historical Park encompasses more than 1,000 acres in the historic communities of Lexington, Lincoln, and Concord, Massachusetts.  It includes areas such as Concord’s North Bridge, where the American militia were first order to fire on British soldiers. It features Paul Revere’s capture site, where his famous “Midnight Ride” to warn the colonists that British soldiers were marching to Concord came to its conclusion.  The Park also features The Wayside, a house that was in turn home to celebrated authors Louisa May Alcott, Nathaniel Hawthorne and Margaret Sidney.  Earlier this year, Senators Kerry and Kennedy, together with Congressman Ed Markey and Congresswoman Tsongas were also able to secure inclusion of Barrett’s Farm into the Park. When British forces marched on Concord in 1775, their principal purpose was to search Barrett's Farm and confiscate the colonial militia’s weapons, but Col. Barrett received advance notice of the British plan and successfully hid the weapons.
 
Reps. Frank, McGovern, Olver, Tierney, Delahunt, Capuano and Neal are also sponsors of the House measure.
 
 
 
RESOLUTION
Honoring the Minute Man National Historical Park on the
occasion of its 50th anniversary.
 
Whereas, since September 21, 1959, Minute Man National Historical Park has preserved key sites where the first battles of the American Revolutionary War occurred, and educated millions of people in the United States about the extraordinary events that led to the birth of the United States and the ideals embodied in the courageous actions that led to such events;
 
Whereas Minute Man National Historical Park encompasses more than 1,000 acres in the historic communities of Lexington, Lincoln, and Concord that were at the center of the American Revolution;
 
Whereas the events, places, and people recognized by the Minute Man National Historical Park have become en during testaments to the values of the people of the United States and are among the most celebrated and cherished symbols in the history of the United States;
 
Whereas the Minute Man National Historical Park includes multiple sites and vistas along the route from Boston to Concord, known as the ‘‘Battle Road’’, where American militia and British soldiers fought several times on April 19, 1775;
 
Whereas American militia were first ordered to return British fire at Concord’s North Bridge, a heroic action commemorated by the United States poet Ralph Waldo Emerson in his poem ‘‘The Concord Hymn’’ as the ‘‘shot heard round the world’’;
 
Whereas the park celebrates the legendary ‘‘midnight ride’’ of Paul Revere on April 18, 1775, that warned American colonists that British soldiers were marching to Concord to destroy key military stores; and
 
Whereas more than 1,000,000 people from States across the United States and from around the world visit Minute Man National Historical Park each year to learn about the role that the New England communities of Lexington, Lincoln, and Concord played in the American Revolution: Now, therefore, be it
 
Resolved, that it is the sense of the Senate that—
(1) Minute Man National Historical Park serves an essential role in preserving the sites and vistas in New England where the American Revolution began and in educating the public about these historic events;
 
(2) Minute Man National Historical Park honors and commemorates the ideals of democracy, liberty, and freedom that are the foundation of the United States and sources of inspiration for people everywhere; and
 
(3) the creation of Minute Man National Historical Park 50 years ago represents a remarkable achievement that continues to benefit the people of the United States, to preserve the proud legacy of the American Revolution, and to serve as an enduring resource for future generations.