Casey Calls on Congress to Preserve Historic Gettysburg Battlefield Lands, Rail Station

On 149th Anniversary of the Gettysburg Address, Civil War Landmarks Merit Protection

Monday, November 19, 2012

Washington, D.C. - Today, U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-PA) called on Congress to pass the Gettysburg National Military Park Expansion Act on the 149^th anniversary of President Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address. In a letter to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, Senator Casey urged preservation of historically significant properties, including the Gettysburg Rail Station and parts of the Gettysburg battlefield.

“Gettysburg National Military Park is an American treasure. My bill is designed to safeguard properties important to the history of Gettysburg in a fiscally responsible way,” wrote Senator Casey. “As the 150^th Anniversary of the Battle of Gettysburg approaches, Congress should come together and pass this important piece of legislation.”

The Gettysburg Rail Station served as transportation hub for thousands of troops and as a hospital for critically-wounded soldiers. In 1863, it was to this Station that President Lincoln arrived on the day before he delivered the Gettysburg Address. The forty-five acre property at the southern end of Gettysburg battlefield saw cavalry skirmishes in the Civil War, and today features wetlands and wildlife habitat supported by Plum Run stream.

The full text of Senator Casey’s letter to the Energy and Natural Resources Committee is below:

The Honorable Jeff Bingaman

Chairman

U.S. Senate Committee on Energy & Natural Resources

304 Dirksen Senate Building
Washington, DC 20510

Dear Chairman Bingaman:

Today, our Nation celebrates the 149^th anniversary of President Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address. Visiting Gettysburg National Military Park is both a tremendous experience and an important the opportunity to learn about our nation’s history. I am grateful that much of the battlefield is protected. As the 112^th Congress draws to a close, I ask that you include in any possible omnibus public lands bill legislation that I introduced, the Gettysburg National Military Park Expansion Act.

The Gettysburg National Military Park Expansion Act is aimed at maintaining important aspects of the Gettysburg experience for future generations. Through this bill, Gettysburg National Military Park would include two historically significant properties, the Gettysburg Railroad Station and a forty-five acre property at the southern end of Gettysburg battlefield. During the Battle of Gettysburg, the Station served as transportation hub for thousands of troops and as a hospital for critically-wounded soldiers. In 1863, it was to this Station that President Lincoln arrived on the day before he delivered the Gettysburg Address. Cavalry skirmishes occurred on the forty-five acre property during the battle. Today, this property features wetlands and wildlife habitat supported by Plum Run stream passing through the Park. My bill is fiscally responsible as the National Park Service will be able to acquire both the Station and the forty-five acre property through donations.

Gettysburg National Military Park is an American treasure. My bill is designed to safeguard properties important to the history of Gettysburg in a fiscally responsible way.

Sincerely,

Robert P. Casey, Jr.

United States Senator

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