affair. The events which occurred after '76 are equally important and give true meaning to the founding of our nation. 4. One of the major criticisms of the present ARBC has been that the states felt their voices were lost to the wind. If there is to be a total cooperative effort, there must be a mechanism which will assure that the opinions and recommendations from the states will not be passed over or ignored. 5. The matter of funding is extremely important. a. The need for continuing limited grant funds for at least an additional year is essential. Forty-five thousand dollars for each state on the same basis as in the past two years does not seem to be an unreasonable figure. b. Those funds from "non-appropriated" sources to be made available to the states should be with no strings attached. We do not object to guidelines and standards, but we do object to having to submit projects for prior review. This can only complicate and delay, as well as cause the states internal problems in working at the local level. c. We are aware that various federal agencies will be the source of funds for varied and specific kinds of Bicentennial projects. However, we do feel that state Bicentennial commissions should be the clearing houses for such funds coming into the states in the name of the Bicentennial effort. d. We do not feel that Congress should tie the hands of the new American Revolution Bicentennial Administration so as to preclude their development of programs using appropriated funds when appropriate and the best interests of the Bicentennial efforts will be furthered by such programs. Sincerely, CLIFFORD M. CLARKE, CAE, Acting Chairman, Georgia Commission for the National Bicentennial Celebration. NEW YORK CITY, March 5, 1973. Subject: Americna Revolution___ Bicentennial Celebration (A.R.B.C.). Ref. (a) Congressional Record-House Pages 963, 964, 965, 966, 967, and 968. Dated February 20, 1973. (b) Report on A.R.B.C. Delaware-Raritan Canal. (c) Report on A.R.B.C. March of the French Army Across the State of New Jersey. (d) A.R.B.C. letter to H. de Bonneval dated December 8, 1972, signed William L. Blue. Hon. PETER W. RODINO, Jr., House of Representatives, Washington, D.C. DEAR MR. RODINO: I just received ref. (a) from the Honorable Clifford P. Case, and I was pleased to note your energetic stand to reinvigorate the A.R.B.C. Commission. I prepared two reports ref. (b) and (c) which I transmitted to different members of the commission. It is noted on ref. (a) page H966 that you make the following statement: "As a member of the Commission I am probably more aware of its problems than its critics." Accordingly I did not send you copies of refs. (b), (c) and (d). In fact, over the time that I have corresponded with them, you will note an extensive file. Letter 1ef. (d) is the last letter I have had from them. I receive their weekly bulletin, and I get the impression that a good bit of their energy seems to be frittered away on small things spread everywhere. This might have some advantages only if a focal point was established. I have repeatedly mentioned on many occasions that the State of New Jersey, Princeton, Trenton and the Raritan-Delaware Canal should be the focal point of the A.R.B.C. This is where the most important battles of the Revolution took place, and also where the army went through its most heart-breaking experience— adversity is the true measure of inner conviction. We are going through a most politically difficult time, and there could not be a better time to review, understand and reassert our political faith. The date 1776 is not so sacred-it's the whole period up until 1789 when the constitution was adopted, when the rules of the game were established, which made this revolution so important and unique. I am opposed to making the exposition a gigantic peep show-television and our modern mobility with the automobile make the old-fashioned understanding of an exposition out of date. I believe you will find this thought further developed in ref. (b). In the event that these reports and my correspondence with the A.R.B.C. commission are not available, I will be most pleased to send you copies. May I wish you all possible good fortune in making this most worthwhile project successful? Sincerely, HENRI A. DE BONNEVAL. MONTANA HISTORICAL SOCIETY, March 7, 1973. Representative LAWRENCE G. WILLIAMS, 1503 Longworth Building, Washington, D.C. DEAR CONGRESSMAN WILLIAMS: Thank you very much for your letter of March 2, in which you ask the attitude of the Montana American Revolution Bicentennial Commission towards HR 3695, which calls for reorganization of the bicentennial national planning body. In general, our reaction to HR 3695 is favorable and we believe it will accomplish what we all hope for in planning and executing the Bicentennial program. All along the line, in Washington and in the various states, we now remain somewhat in a state of suspended activity because of the pending legislation. Our reaction here is to express our hope that the legislation may be expedited so that we all can get on with the work at hand. I am sending copies of this letter to Representative Donahue, who is directly concerned, as well as to Montana's Congressional delegation. Sincerely, SAM GILLULY, Director. NEW HAMPSHIRE AMERICAN REVOLUTION BICENTENNIAL COMMISSION, Congressman HAROLD D. DONOHUE, DEAR CONGRESSMAN DONOHUE: Yesterday I met with the Executive Committee of the New Hampshire American Revolution Bicentennial Commission. We considered with care the text of the Administration bill to reorganize the ARBC. By direction of the Committee, I am herewith submitting a succinct summary of our feelings about the proposed reorganization. (1) We urge Congress to act rapidly in its action on this matter. (2) We feel that in the new organization stress should be put on centering of authority, and on strong management and direction. (3) We feel that in selecting a staff, as well as in Advisory Board personnel, qualified, historically minded persons should be chosen. (4) We feel that the proposed dates for preparing the Master Calendar (July, 1975-September, 1976) are much too restricted. Many of the most important events of the American Revolution are not encompassed in that time period. (5) Any proposal for grants-in-aid to state commissions-and such grants, we believe, are very necessary-should begin with a flat-rate grant annually to each state. Additional increments for good and sufficient reasons might be made to individual states, but the basic flat-rate grant principle should be maintained. We respectfully ask that this statement be included in the record of your hearings on March 14, 1973. With kind regards to you, I am J. DUANE SQUIRES, Chairman. KENTUCKY HISTORICAL EVENTS CELEBRATION COMMISSION, Congressman HAROLD DONOHUE, DEAR CONGRESSMAN DONOHUE: I have seen a copy of the proposed American Revolution Bicentennial Commission legislation and I ask your consideration and support for Bill HR 3695, changing the structure of the Commission to an Administration. Very truly yours, CHARLES J. HELLMANN, Executive Director. STATE OF IDAHO, Boise, March 9, 1973. Re HB 3695. DEAR CONGRESSMAN DONOHUE: As Chairman of the Idaho Bicentennial Commission, I am writing to express my support of HB 3695, presently pending before the Congress. It is my feeling that this legislation, in abolishing the fifty-member bicentennial commission and placing the responsibility for the country's bicentennial commemoration in the office of an administrator, strengthens and streamlines the total program. I have always had the feeling that much efficiency and cohesive direction have been sacrificed under the present structure. The staff of the commission has seemed to spend a great deal of its time in coordinating the activities and input from all those commissioners, to the detriment of the basic mission of the program. I would like also to emphasize the continuing need for the various states for federal participation in funding for state bicentennial projects. In our state, for example, we statutorily mandated to prepare Idaho's contribution to the celebration of the nation's 200th birthday. However, as a state official I can assure you that our own funding capabilities are not sufficient to do all the things our commission has in mind. Therefore, I would earnestly solicit your support for adequate funding to the states in aid of this worthwhile program. Thank you for your consideration. Very truly yours, W. ANTHONY PARK, Attorney General. THE DELAWARE AMERICAN REVOLUTION BICENTENNIAL COMMISSION, Newark, Del., March 9, 1973. Congressman HAROLD D. DONOHUE, Chairman, House Judiciary Subcommittee No. 2, U.S. House of Representatives, 2137 Rayburn House Office Building, Washington, D.C. DEAR CONGRESSMAN DONOHUE: The Delaware American Revolution Bicentennial Commission supports HR 3695 dealing with the reorganization of the American Revolution Bicentennial Commission. In the Commission's opinion, the establishment of an American Revolution Bicentennial Administration will effectively facilitate and aid in the scheduling of events, activities, and projects of local, state, national, and international significance for the celebration of our nation's two hundredth anniversary. Since preparation time for the Bicentennial is short, early passage of this measure would help to insure a meaningful commemoration. Sincerely, E. A. TRABANT, Chairman. Austin, Tex., March 8, 1973. AMERICAN REVOLUTION BICENTENNIAL COMMISSION OF TEXAS, Hon. LAWRENCE G. WILLIAMS, DEAR MR. WILLIAMS: Thank you for the opportunity to comment on H.R. 3695 which is scheduled for hearings on March 14, and 15. The Bicentennial Commission of Texas feels very strongly that this Bill, should receive favorable consideration. We have felt, and have said so by means of Public Record, that the only way the national Bicentennial body can have success is to establish clear cut lines of authority. We do feel that the Bicentennial Administration, as outlined in H.R. 3695 has the basic ingredients needed for coordinating and stimulating Bicentennial activities in this country. The strength of our nation comes from our cultural diversity and from the fact that we have been able to establish a national unity born of diversification. Because of this fact, no blueprint for a celebration of this nature can be totally devised by a federal or a state governmental agency. It is the privilege of an individual citizen, private entity or community to establish their own programs, indiginous to their own area. It is the governmental body's duty to coordinate, promote, activate and stimulate suitable activities. Therefore, we urge Congress to adopt H.R. 3695 at the earliest possible time so that no more time will lapse in organizing the Bicentennial celebration. We make one suggestion and ask that page 6, line 15 be changed from September, 1976, to December 31, 1976. We feel that we should not penalize those activities that would extend into the Fall and Winter months or those citizens who wait until the Fall and Winter months to vacation. We would like to see the entire year celebrated and not the first nine months only. We hope that some means can be devised to continue to assist the states in their programs. Even though the state of Texas does have an appropriation, the additional $45,000 federal grant has assisted us in better coordinating our programs and being able to make the Texas citizen aware of Bicentennial activities. Since I am the immediate past chairman of the Southwest Regional Alliance for Bicentennial planning (10 states informally joined together to coordinate Bicentennial activities on a regional basis) I know that many of my sister states would be unable to participate in this national celebration without the assistance of this $45,000. Yours sincerely, GENE JONES RIDDLE, Executive Director. COLORADO CENTENNIAL-BICENTENNIAL COMMISSION, March 8, 1973. Hon. HAROLD D. DONOHUE, Dear CHAIRMAN DONOHUE: As Chairman and Director, respectively, of the Colorado Centennial-Bicentennial Commission (CBC), we wish to express the unanimous CBC endorsement of H.R. 3695. The establishment of the position of American Revolution Bicentennial Administrator, with a direct line of authority, seems the best way to accomplish the job that must be done the first time around-there will be no second chance. If our efforts fail, 100 years must pass before our nation can attempt it again. It seems reasonable that the President will make every effort possible to see the program through to fruition, for if the celebration is not far reaching and worthwhile, the culpability will be the Administration's. The present ARBC has charted many excellent plans and programs. The proposed Administrator, who would not be subject to the many diverse and often conflicting opinions of 50 commissioners as is presently the case, could implement these plans more effectively with a direct line of authority. Further, it is the opinion of this Commission that the present staff of the ARBC has done an outstanding job of coordinating with state commissions. They have skillfully established commissions in 50 states and five territories, and this has been no easy task. The CBC Chairman, who also serves as the Chairman of the Southwest Regional Alliance of the ÁRBC, also reiterates the opinions stated above on behalf of that ten-state Alliance. Your attention is also called to the attached copy of a letter dated July 27, 1972 and directed to The Honorable Roman L. Hruska, which was submitted to the U.S. Senate Subcommittee on Federal Charters, Holidays and Celebrations at the time of Senate hearings concerning the ARBC. Your favorable consideration of H.R. 3695 will be greatly appreciated. Sincerely yours, FLOYD M. SACK, Chairman. Denver, Colorado Centennial-BICENTENNIAL COMMISSION, HON. ROMAN L. HRUSKA, July 27, 1972. Chairman, U.S. Senate Subcommittee on Federal Charters, Holidays, and Celebrations, Old Senate Office Building, Washington, D.C. DEAR CHAIRMAN HRUSKA: The purpose of this letter is to commend the American Revolution Bicentennial Commission (ARBC) for the guidance and assistance they have rendered to the Colorado Centennial-Bicentennial Commission sin its inception on January 1, 1972, and to urge the Senate Subcommittee on Federal Charters, Holidays and Celebrations to strongly support the ARBC as the necessary hub around which our fifty States may plan and implement fitting programs to commemorate our Nation's 200th birthday. Within seven short months, the Colorado Centennial-Bicentennial Commission has established goals and implemented programs and events to achieve these goals. A recent $45,000 grant from the ARBC was allocated almost exclusively to programs and projects not already funded by the State of Colorado. These projects concern planning for the erection of permanent facilities that will exist far beyond the year 1976 as lasting tributes to the founding of our Nation. During the last part of December, 1971, Mr. Goodspeed of the ARBC spent two days in Denver briefing me and or Commissioners on the various programs available through the ARBC. The ARBC has supplied our Commission with audio-visual aids that we have found extremely valuable in publicizing and explaining our purpose, and the weekly ARBC newsletter has been most informative to those of us who have taken the time to read it. In February, the ARBC paid our necessary expenses and transportation to come to Washington to attend a workshop which provided us with information on the possible implementation of the Bicentennial Parks Program, and as a result of that meeting we have been able to put into action the many ideas and suggestions offered by the ARBC to the State Directors and Commissioners representing the fifty States and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. It is my firm belief that if the Commissions of the various States are aggressive and desirous of fulfilling the programs suggested by the ARBC, the end results will be as effective as those already achieved by the Colorado Centennial-Bicentennial Commission. I have enclosed a copy of the Colorado Centennial-Bicentennial Commission's report of accomplishments from January 1 to May 1, 1972. Since this report was published, numerous other programs have been developed. We in Colorado have only just begun, but the possibilities are limitless and tremendously exciting. I sincerely believe that if any State cannot successfully put a Bicentennial program together with the invaluable assistance offered by the ARBC, the entire responsibility for this failure rest with that State, whether it be the fault of their legislative body, their Governor, their Commission Director, or their Commissioners, or a combination of all of the aforementioned. In no manner should the ARBC be held accountable for any State's shortcomings, whether those shortcomings are due to lack of initiative, indifference, or the feeling that "1976 is still four years in the future and there's plenty of time.' In short, let me state that the ARBC does give invaluable guidance and assistance to the State Commissions, and any State that does not take advantage of their expertise and information loses a tremendous opportunity to participate in the commemoration of our country's most historic event. I will be in attendance at your Subcommittee's hearings on August 1, and if you desire further information or testimony, I will be most happy to oblige. Sincerely yours, JOE ALBI, Executive Director. WYOMING STATE ARCHIVES AND HISTORICAL DEPARTMENT, Hon. HAROLD DONOHUE, DEAR CONGRESSMAN DONOHUE: I am writing you in support of H.R. 3695 to streamline the organization of the National America Revolution Bicentennial Commission and to express my interest in seeing that something of an enduring nature develops in Wyoming as a fitting memorial to our establishment as a nation. Wyoming is not plagued by great diversity of opinion over what might possibly constitute "suitable projects" as some states are, so that our project fits in to our background of pioneer, cowboy and industrial development. Our main project is a Bicentennial State Park located at a National Historic Site called "Independence Rock". In addition to being associated with the Wyoming Bicentennial Commission, I also represent the Wyoming State Historical Society as their Executive Secretary and can see that any delay in "getting on with it" may well jeopardize the projects that have been selected by Wyoming to commemorate this national |