Roscoe Bartlett: “yesterday was a very special day for the district I have the honor of representing. On that day, 263 years ago, in 1737…”

“yesterday was a very special day for the district I have the honor of representing. On that day, 263 years ago, in 1737, Charles Carroll of Carrollton was born. Carroll County and Carroll Creek in my district was named for him. Charles Carroll has received special honor here at the Capitol. His portrait hangs on the third floor, and a statute of him stands near the memorial entrance to the Capitol. Charles Carroll was a member of the first Congress and a framer of the Bill of Rights. He was the only Catholic to sign the Declaration of Independence and he was the final surviving signer of the Declaration of Independence, dying in 1832 at the age of 95. Charles Carroll was outspoken about his faith and declared that his religious convictions had caused him to enter the American Revolution. In fact, his faith was so important in his life that he built and personally funded a house of worship. Charles Carroll, one of the very first Members of this body, reminded us, and I quote, ``Without morals a Republic cannot subsist for any length of time; they therefore who are decrying the Christian religion are undermining the solid foundation of morals, the best security for the duration of free governments.'' That is just as true today as it was then.”