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A Proclamation
General Robert E. Lee’s Birthday
Whereas: General Robert E. Lee was born to Ann Hill
Carter and “Light Horse” Harry Lee at Stratford, Westmoreland
County, Virginia, on the 19th day of January, in the year of
our Lord 1807; and
Whereas: Lee graduated from the West Point Military
Academy in 1829, second in his class and without a single
demerit; and
Whereas: Robert E. Lee served in the United States Army
and with the rank of captain fought in the War with Mexico
where he was wounded at the Battle of Chapulepec; and
Whereas: He was appointed Superintendent of the West
Point Military Academy in 1852 and was considered one of the
best superintendents in the history of the school; and
Whereas: Robert E. Lee was offered command of the Union
Army by President Abraham Lincoln but refused because he would
not raise arms against his native state; and
Whereas: Lee served his native state of Virginia and the
military forces of The Confederate States of America for four
years under President Jefferson Davis; and
Whereas: After the War Between the States, General
Robert E. Lee helped rebuild the nation by serving as
president of Washington College that had financial troubles.
This college, in Lexington, Virginia, was renamed
Washington-Lee College in his honor; and
Whereas: Today, the military genius of Lee is studied in
many schools and he remains a hero among many Americans, young
and old; now
Therefore:
I,
do hereby;
Proclaim January 19, 2006, as General Robert E. Lee’s
Birthday. I encourage all Americans to learn more about the
life of Lee and attend birthday tributes to his memory. |
