Robert E. Lee Birthday Proclamations

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.