Park project honoring Gen. Francis Marion moves forward in Washington

The Marion Park Project acknowledged the recent passage of legislation which authorizes the Marion Park Project, a committee of the Palmetto Conservation Foundation, to establish a commemorative work on Federal land in the District of Columbia to honor Brigadier General Francis Marion. “The Marion Park Project and Palmetto Conservation Foundation have worked tirelessly on this project,” John F. McCabe, head of the project, said. “We are incredibly excited that Congress has seen fit to authorize a statue in honor of Francis Marion, a true American Hero.”

“As a South Carolinian, I am proud that we have honored Brig. Gen. Francis Marion in this manner,” Rep. Joe Wilson said. “Today, there is a park in Washington, D.C. that bears his name.  That park will benefit from having a statue of the Swamp Fox erected on its premises — a symbol that will remind all who visit it of General Marion’s tremendous legacy and contribution to the birth of this nation.”

“Francis Marion was an American patriot,” Sen. Lindsey Graham said. “He embodies the spirit and dedication to freedom that is shared by all South Carolinians.” Language from S. 312, the Brig. Gen. Francis Marion Memorial Act, introduced by Graham to authorize the construction of a statue was included as part of S. 2739, the Consolidated Natural Resources Act of 2008.  The bill was signed into law by President George Bush on May 8. Legislation requesting authorization had also been introduced in the House, H.R. 497, the Brig. Gen. Francis Marion Memorial Act of 2007,  which passed the House of Representatives in March of last year. The next step in the process will be to finalize authorization for the desired site in Marion Park through the National Capital Planning Commission in Washington, D.C.  A site study, an environmental study, a traffic study as well as alternate site plans must be prepared in order to proceed.

All donations should be made to The Palmetto Conservation Foundation — Marion Park Project, 1314 Lincoln Street, Suite 305, Columbia, 29201.  Along with the Palmetto Conservation Foundation’s Web site, http://www.palmettoconservation.org, a new Web site is pending at http://www.swampfoxmemorial.org.

Marion commanded the Williamsburg Militia Revolutionary force in South Carolina during the Revolutionary War.  He was instrumental in delaying the advance of British forces by leading his troops in disrupting supply lines. His tactics were unheard of in rules of warfare at the time, and included raids on British convoys, after which he and his forces would retreat into the swamps to avoid capture.  This earned him the nickname “Swamp Fox.”