Expressing the sense of Congress that Fort San Juan holds a significant place in the early history of North Carolina and of the United States.

Bill: 115-hres-1186
Sponsor: full_name: Rep. Meadows, Mark [R-NC-11]
Introduced: 2018-12-21
Policy area: Social Sciences and History
Subjects: Archaeology and anthropology

Congressional tributes

Historic sites and heritage areas

North Carolina

U.S. history
Latest action: action_date: 2018-12-21
text: Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.

Summaries:
action_date: 2018-12-21
action_desc: Introduced in House
text: <p>Recognizes the importance of Fort San Juan to the early history of North Carolina and the United States.</p>

tv_txt: IV 115th CONGRESS 2d Session H. RES. 1186 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES December 21, 2018 Mr. Meadows submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform RESOLUTION Expressing the sense of Congress that Fort San Juan holds a significant place in the early history of North Carolina and of the United States.

Whereas Fort San Juan was originally settled by the Spanish in western North Carolina in 1567; Whereas Fort San Juan predates the English settlement on Roanoke Island by 20 years and the settlement at Jamestown by 40 years; Whereas Fort San Juan was the first European settlement in the interior of the United States; Whereas Captain Juan Pardo built Fort San Juan as part of the greater mission of the Spanish exploring North America from Santa Elena (modern-day Parris Island, South Carolina) into what are now Tennessee and Alabama under Hernando de Soto; Whereas Fort San Juan served as the base for Captain Juan Pardo’s expedition into the Appalachian Mountains in search for silver mines; Whereas Fort San Juan after 18 months was destroyed in a fire after the relationship between the Spanish settlers and Native Americans at Joara deteriorated; Whereas Fort San Juan was rediscovered near Morganton, North Carolina, between the years of 2004 and 2006; and Whereas archaeologists investigating the site have expressed their appreciation for the cooperation of the landowners, the Berry family, for preserving the site and providing access: Now, therefore, be it

That the House of Representatives— (1) recognizes the importance of Fort San Juan for the early history of North Carolina; (2) recognizes that Fort San Juan reshapes the historical narrative around the United States earliest history; and (3) encourages the people of the United States to continue studying Captain Juan Pardo’s expedition, visiting the ruins of Fort San Juan, and educating the people of North Carolina and the United States about Fort San Juan’s role in North Carolina and the United States earliest history.