FOREWORD 



The Joint Committee on the Library is pleased to 

 publish the written history of our Nation's Botanic 

 Garden based on a manuscript by Karen D. Solit. The idea 

 of a National Botanic Garden began as a vision of our 

 Nation's founding fathers. After considerable debate in 

 Congress, President James Monroe signed a bill, on May 8, 

 1820, providing for the use of five acres of land for a 

 Botanic Garden on the Mall. The History of the United States 

 Botanic Garden, complete with illustrations, traces the 

 origins of the U.S. Botanic Garden from its conception to 

 the present. 



The Joint Committee on the Library wants to express 

 its sincere appreciation to Ms. Solit for her extensive research 

 and to Mr. Stephen W. Stathis, Analyst in American National 

 Government with the Library of Congress 7 Congressional 

 Research Service, for the additional research he provided 

 to this project. 



Today, the United States Botanic Garden has one of the 

 largest annual attendances of any Botanic Garden in the 

 country. The special flower shows, presenting seasonal 

 plants in beautifully designed displays, are enjoyed by all 

 who visit our Nation's Botanic Garden. 



The United States Botanic Garden, located at the foot 

 of the Capitol, will be celebrating its 175th Anniversary 

 in 1995. The History of the United States Botanic Garden is a 

 fitting tribute to this important occasion. 



Claiborne Pell 

 Vice Chairman, 

 Joint Committee 

 on the Library. 



Charlie Rose 

 Chairman, 

 Joint Committee 

 on the Library. 



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