HR0432 95TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0432 LRB095 12211 KXB 36518 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives are pleased to recognize the 250th anniversary of Fort De L'Ascension, the first fort built at the site of Fort Massac; and

WHEREAS, In 1757, during the French and Indian War, the French pioneers exploring the lower Ohio and Mississippi River valleys built Fort De L'Ascension on a strategic bluff overlooking the Ohio River, near present day Metropolis; and

WHEREAS, The site was renamed Fort Massiac two years later; after the Revolutionary War, President Washington ordered the fort rebuilt, and in 1794 the fort was reconstructed as Fort Massac; and

WHEREAS, Massac County and Fort Massac State Park are named for the historic fort; generations have visited the historic site to get a vision of history; and

WHEREAS, Friends of the Fort and the staff of Fort Massac State Park are to be commended for their hard work in preserving this State and national treasure as well; and

WHEREAS, On the weekend of May 18-20, 2007, the 250th anniversary of the first French fort built at Massac will be celebrated; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-FIFTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we commend the staff of Fort Massac State Park and the Friends of the Fort and congratulate them as they celebrate this milestone anniversary in the history of the State of Illinois; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to Sue Barfield, President of Friends of the Fort, and Terry Johnson, site superintendent of Fort Massac State Park, as a symbol of our respect and esteem.