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Washington, DC - Congressman John Dingell (D-MI15) and Sen. Carl Levin (D-MI) today urged a House subcommittee to adopt legislation that would designate the River Raisin battlefield site a unit of the National Park System. The site, located in Monroe, Michigan, was the scene of one of the bloodiest battles of the War of 1812. The hearing was held by the National Parks, Forests and Public Lands Subcommittee of the House Natural Resources Committee. The legislation was introduced in the House and Senate earlier this month.
“The events at the River Raisin are a critical part of our nation’s history, and deserve to be shared with all Americans through our National Park System,” Levin testified to the committee this morning. “With the approaching 200th Anniversary of the War of 1812, we need to act quickly if we are to see this site properly interpreted in time for this national celebration.”
“The Battle of the River Raisin was a critical point in the War of 1812 and I am pleased the Subcommittee recognizes its importance,” Dingell said. “The National Park Service would be getting a heck of a bargain, as the good people of Monroe are willing to donate the lands to them for free. Moreover, the people of Monroe County are enthusiastic about this legislation and have pledged to partner with the National Park Service in making the River Raisin National Battlefield Park a resounding success.”
The committee also heard testimony from Monroe Mayor Mark Worrell. He said, “I am pleased to represent the City of Monroe and its partners here today not to ask this committee or the federal government for additional funds. Rather, I have the very distinct honor of being able to invite the Federal government to become a partner with us in the River Raisin Battlefield. The partnership, which is being represented here today by the City of Monroe and the Monroe County Historical Society, has every intention of continuing its commitment to this project.”
William H. Braunlich, the President of the Monroe County Historical Society and other community leaders, including former Monroe County Historical Society President Jean Guyor, and Chairman of the Monroe County Community College Board of Directors Michael Meyer attended the hearing in support of the legislation.
The past year has been spent restoring the River Raisin Battlefield to the way it looked 196 years ago. It has been no easy task – considering the site developed into a paper mill during the turn of the last century. But demolition crews brought down the smokestacks and blighted paper mills and archeologists and historians have been shedding new light on this pivotal moment in American history, which proved to be a turning point in the war often referred to as ‘America’s Second Revolutionary War.’
Out of nearly 1,000 American troops, only 33 escaped death or capture. This bloody event, arguably the largest land engagement of the war, gave birth to the emotional rallying cry “Remember the Raisin,” which spurred the American forces on to victory at the Battle of the Thames nine months later, thereby ending the War.
Dingell and Levin, along with Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), have helped bring more than $1.5 million in grant money to help pay for the restoration effort. Former Monroe Mayor C.D. “Al” Cappuccilli, Mayor Mark Worrell, Governor Jennifer Granholm, State Senator Randy Richardville and State Representative Kate Ebli have also provided important support for the project, which could be ready for the public in time for the War of 1812’s 200th anniversary.
A picture of Mayor Worrell testifying
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