Swamp Fox Memorial - Francis Marion

COLUMBIA, S.C. (May 19, 2008) – The Marion Park Project issued the following statement today in acknowledgement of 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,” said John F. McCabe, head of the Marion Park Project. “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 Brigadier General Francis Marion in this manner,” said Rep. Joe Wilson (SC-02). “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. I am grateful to have worked with Senator Graham on this important project.”

“Francis Marion was an American patriot,” said Senator Lindsey Graham (SC). “He embodies the spirit and dedication to freedom that is shared by all South Carolinians. Thanks to Representative Joe Wilson’s strong support in the House and the determined spirit of the Palmetto Conservation Foundation, the Swamp Fox statue can be placed in the Washington park bearing his name.”

Language from S. 312, the Brigadier General Francis Marion Memorial Act, introduced by Senator Lindsey Graham (SC) to authorize the construction of a statue was included as part of S. 2739, the Consolidated Natural Resources Act of 2008. S. 2739 was signed into law by President George Bush on May 8th. Legislation requesting authorization had also been introduced in the House of Representatives by Congressman Joe Wilson (SC-02) - H.R. 497, the Brigadier General 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, South Carolina 29201. Along with the Palmetto Conservation Foundation’s website, www.palmettoconservation.org, a new website is pending at www.swampfoxmemorial.org.

Brigadier General 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, which were unheard of in rules of warfare at the time, included lightning raids on British convoys, after which he and his forces would retreat into the swamps to avoid capture. This tactic earned him the name “Swamp Fox.”