Major Events in the History of the Foundation

Ninety-ninth Congress of the United States of America
at the Second Session
Begun and held at the City of Washington on Tuesday, the twenty-first day of January, one thousand nine hundred and eighty-six

Joint Resolution

Designating Patrick Henry's last home and burial place, known as Red Hill in the Commonwealth of Virginia, as National Memorial to Patrick Henry.

Whereas Patrick Henry was a great orator and leader of the Revolutionary cause in the struggle for independence and in the establishment of a new Government of the United States of America; and
Whereas, fifty years ago on August 16, 1935, the Congress authorized establishment of Red Hill, Patrick Henry's last home and burial place, as a national monument in tribute and recognition of his service to his country, and the authorization was repealed in 1944 due to insufficient appropriations during distressful times; and Whereas the Patrick Henry Memorial Foundation in 1944 acquired Red Hill, located in Charlotte County, Virginia, and has both reconstructed his home and restored his original cottage law office and grounds as a shrine and museum, in commemoration of the entire life of Patrick Henry; and

Whereas Red Hill is listed on the National Register of Historic Places; and

Whereas the Virginia General Assembly, in its 1986 legislative session, has enacted Senate Joint Resolution 82, calling for national recognition and stewardship of Red Hill by the Federal Government; and

Whereas Scotchtown, Saint John's Church, and Hanover County Courthouse are designated National Historic Landmarks, due to their historical significance, integrity and representation of key moments of Patrick Henry's revolutionary contributions; and

Whereas May 29, 1736, was the birthdate of Patrick Henry, and Scotchtown, Saint John's Church, and Hanover County Courthouse and Red Hill are together planning commemorative activities for the two hundred and fiftieth anniversary of Patrick Henry's birth during 1986; and

Whereas it would be appropriate for Congress, as part of the 1986 commemorative activities, to honor for the benefit of present and future generations the entire life of Patrick Henry by a national memorialization of this American Patriot's burial place at Red Hill, where are also preserved his original cottage law office, his reconstructed home, and museum articles depicting his life and work: Now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That the last home and burial place of Patrick Henry in Charlotte County, Commonwealth of Virginia, known as Red Hill, is hereby designated as a National Memorial to Patrick Henry, and shall be known as: the Red Hill Patrick Henry National Memorial. The Secretary of the Interior is authorized and directed to take appropriate action to assure that this Memorial is announced in the Federal Register, and that official records and lists are amended, in due course, to reflect this addition as being included along with other national memorials established by Act of Congress.

Sec. 2. The Secretary of the Interior, with the concurrence of the owner of the property, is authorized and directed to place at the gravesite on or by June 6, 1986, the anniversary of Patrick Henry's death, an appropriate plaque or marker bearing an inscription commensurate with the contributions of Patrick Henry to the American Revolution and with the patriotism his words and deeds continue to inspire in all Americans: Provided, That the ownership of Red Hill remains non-Federal, and that the costs of such plaque or marker, and of its inscription and maintenance, as well as the costs of operations and maintenance for the estate shall be borne from non-Federal funds, services, or materials.