Congressional actions to authorize national monuments and memorials

In the U.S., both Congress and the president can take the initiative in establishing national monuments and memorials. While federal funds may not be used to support such sites in the District of Columbia, Congress may authorize a particular project and grant an organization the right to proceed with it. This page documents legislation directing the creation or expansion of national monuments and memorials.

Memorial authorized to commemorate Revolutionary War Gen. Francis Marion
On March 5, 2007, the House passed a bill authorizing the Marion Park Project. The project would establish a memorial in the District of Columbia to honor Brigadier General Francis Marion. Marion, known as the “Swamp Fox,” commanded the Williamsburg militia in South Carolina during the Revolutionary War. Prior to the bill, Marion Park existed in Washington D.C., but lacked a formal commemoration of Marion himself. An organization called the Palmetto Conservative Foundation backed the effort to create one, and this bill would grant it the authority to do so.

The bill was sponsored by Rep. Joe Wilson (R-S.C.), and passed 390-0.

