STEARNS LED EFFORTS LEADING TO FORT KING’S DESIGNATION AS NATIONAL HISTORIC LANDMARK

Washington, Jun 27, 2008 - Rep. Cliff Stearns will join in celebrating the dedication of the monument recognizing Fort King as a National Historic Landmark on Tuesday, July 1, 2008. “Our nation is rich in natural resources, scenic wonders, and a historic events and locations. Fort King served a central role in the Second Seminole War, the longest and one of the costliest of the Indian wars. It was at Fort King that the great Seminole leader Osceola was held in chains before his release. It is vital to recognize Fort King as a critical part of our nation’s history.”

Stearns will join officials of the City of Ocala and others involved in marking the historic role of Fort King in dedicating the monument at Fort King. The event starts at 10:00 AM at the Fort King Historic Site in Ocala. Stearns inserted a provision in legislation to establish a Special Resource Study by the National Park Service on the role of Fort King in the Second Seminole War and to identify funding opportunities for its preservation and interpretation. This led to the designation of the site as a National Historic Landmark.