Flushing Remonstrance Study Act

Floor Speech

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 3222, the Flushing Remonstrance Study Act introduced by Representative GRACE MENG from New York, representing the borough of Queens.

H.R. 3222 would direct the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a special resource study to determine the feasibility of including sites associated with the signing of the Flushing Remonstrance in 1657 as units of the National Park Service.

These sites include the John Bowne House and the Old Quaker Meetinghouse in Flushing, Queens which are associated with the history of religious freedom in America and the signing of the Flushing Remonstrance.

The Flushing Remonstrance was a 1657 petition to Director-General of New Netherland, in which several citizens requested an exemption to the Director-General's ban on Quaker worship.

While the signers of the Flushing Remonstrance didn't know it at the time, this petition is today recognized as a precursor of the First Amendment of the Constitution and one of the earliest demands for freedom of religion in what became the United States.

The Quaker's who chose to practice their religion as well as those who volunteered their homes for Quaker meetings, such as John Bowne, were jailed. Bowne, whose home had been the place where the Flushing Remonstrance was signed, was actually banished from the colony.

On his trip back to Europe, Bowne carried with him an account of the case which he eventually presented before the Dutch West India Company. The reply established religious liberty in the colony and stated that ``The consciences of men at least ought ever to remain free and unshackled.''

Located a few blocks away from the Old Quaker Meetinghouse, the Bowne house has changed little since 1680. However, the concepts of freedom of religion and freedom of speech that were established in the Flushing Remonstrance have continued to evolve as our country and our influence around the world has grown.

I think it is vital that citizens and politicians alike recognize the importance of freedom of speech and political activism in our country.

I hope that the continued preservation of these historic places will serve as a reminder to all Americans of the fights that resulted in the rights we enjoy in this country today, as well as those around the world that continue to fight for their own right to speak freely and practice their religion without fear of persecution or consequence.

I applaud Rep. MENG for her advocacy and urge support for H.R. 3222.

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Source