Kaptur, Brown, Portman, Latta, Jordan say “Don’t Give Up The Ship” at Perry’s Victory Memorial
Legislators send letter opposing elimination of full-time supervisor at increasingly popular site
WASHINGTON—Representatives Marcy Kaptur, Bob Latta and Jim Jordan and Senators Sherrod Brown and Rob Portman delivered a joint letter to the U.S. National Park Service (NPS) this morning urging the agency to reject any proposal to eliminate the full-time supervisor at the Perry’s Victory and International Peace Memorial.
“Perry’s Victory and International Peace Memorial is a growing success story for the Park Service,” said Kaptur. “The site has proven its value time and again as a premier federal landmark, a tourism hotspot, and a place where history is brought to life for children and families. It would be a mistake to ‘give up the ship’ on this important and heavily used economic and cultural resource. I urge the ParkService to be thorough and transparent in their review of this regional treasure.”
“Perry’s Victory and International Peace Memorial is one of Ohio’s most visited National Park sites, and its staff depends on federal resources to provide access and educational programming,” Brown said. “The National Park Service must consider the proven success and cultural significance of Perry’s Victory Memorial.”
“Perry’s Victory and International Peace Memorial is a historic landmark that not only enriches the lives of Ohio families but also boosts Ohio’s tourism and economy,” Portman stated.“I urge the National Parks Service to consider the economic and historical significance of the memorial when conducting their review.”
“Perry’s Victory and International Peace Memorial is one of Ohio’s premier landmarks, providing a unique, historical experience for nearly 130,000 visitors each year,” said Latta.“It is imperative that the National Park Service continue to maintain this site, which not only provides economic and cultural benefits to our region, but also serves as an important educational and community resource. In addition, all discussions regarding the future of this memorial must be transparent and open to the public.”
Rep. Kaptur learned of an internal review process taking place within NPS that could potentially lead to the elimination of a full-time supervisor at the site; such a move would overlook growing visitation numbers, increased community engagement, and an expanded NPS budget. Perry’s Victory and International Peace Memorial is the secondmostvisited NPS site in the State of Ohio, welcoming nearly 130,000 visitors each year and reaching more than twice as many individuals through education programs and community outreach. Rep. Kaptur helped secure federal funding to repair the observation deck at Perry’s Memorial last year, ensuring the park would be fully accessible for Bicentennial commemoration events.
Perry’s Victory and International Peace Memorial was built nearly a century ago to honor those who fought in the Battle of Lake Erie during the War of 1812 and remind visitors of “the lessons of international peace by arbitration and disarmament.”
The phrase “Don’t Give Up the Ship” achieved legendary status when Commodore Oliver Hazard Perry won the Battle of Lake Erie decisively while flying a bright blue banner displaying the phrase. The victorious ship was the USS Lawrence, which wasnamed for Captain James Lawrence to whom the quote is attributed. “Don’t Give Up The Ship” was regarded as the unofficial motto of the U.S. Navy for many years.
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