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PRESS RELEASE March 6, 2003 LINCOLN STATUE VIRGINIA DIVISION SONS OF CONFEDERATE VETERANS The disassociation of the National Park Service in soliciting funds for the Lincoln Statue in Richmond, Virginia is applauded by the Sons of Confederate Veterans. We thank Deputy Interior Secretary J. Stephen Griles for his assistance in forcing the National Park Service to address this issue which was being dodged by Ms. Fran Mainella, Director of the National Park Service. We heartily commend U. S. Congressman Virgil Goode for his steadfast pursuance of this issue. The Director of the Virginia National Park Service, Mr. Sandy Rives, along with two other Park Service officials at the headquarters of the Richmond National Battlefield Park, met with Mr. Richard Kline on January 30th to seek answers about the legality of the solicitation of funds by the United States Historical Society and the conflict of the for profit status versus the non-profit claims. Mr. Kline unsurprisingly refused to answer questions. It appears that as of February 4, the Park Service had formally withdrawn it’s name from the project solicitations yet at a Richmond City Council meeting on February 24, Park Superintendent Cynthia Macleod spoke in favor of this project in continuing to solicit funds for the statue. This was in clear violation of the Park Service’s new policy enunciated by Mr. Rives, Director of the Virginia Park Service.The citizens of both Virginia and other Southern states have spoken loudly against this statue in massive protest and polling. The Sons of Confederate Veterans hereby demands that the Commonwealth of Virginia immediately begin investigations into the activities, monetary solicitations, 501 c (3) status, and potential fraudulent wrongdoing of the United States Historical Society and it’s partners such as the Virginia Historical Society. The Office of the Attorney General is well equipped to handle this matter. The Sons of Confederate Veterans further demands that the City of Richmond and all partnering organizations such as the Virginia Historical Society, Verizon, Dominion Resources, Historic Richmond Riverfront and the Richmond Renaissance cease and desist from financially or morally supporting this offensive placement. The Sons of Confederate Veterans demands the immediate suspension of Cynthia Macleod as Director of the Richmond National Battle field site pending a total investigation of both the United States Historical Society, and her role in partnering to place the statue in Richmond in violation of the new National Park Service guidelines. The acceptance of this statue following Mr. Rives’ review is nothing more than a face saving measure by the National Park Service, a federal agency directed by Ms. Fran Mainella and under the direct supervision of President George W. Bush. The zealousness of organizations such as the National Park Service, the United States Historical Society and the Virginia Historical Society have pushed this issue beyond reasonable bounds and truly divided Virginians across the Commonwealth. It is obvious that this is being done solely for monetary gain with millions of potential dollars to be realized if it succeeds. Is this the legacy of Lincoln? For further information contact Brag Bowling, Commander Virginia Division Sons of Confederate Veterans, cell 804.389.3620 or 804.359.0382.
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