James Oberstar: “I rise in support of H.R. 2523, a bill to designate the United States Courthouse located at 125 Bull Street in Savannah…”

“I rise in support of H.R. 2523, a bill to designate the United States Courthouse located at 125 Bull Street in Savannah, Georgia as the Tomochichi United States Courthouse. Chief Tomochichi was born to the Creek Indian Tribe in 1650 in the small village of Coweta, along the Chattahoochee River. He became the Chief of the Yamacraw Indians and was integral to the success of the Georgia Colony. Tomochichi enjoyed a reputation as a great warrior who possessed sound judgment and wisdom. In 1773, Chief Tomochichi encountered James Oglethorpe, the English settler who founded the Georgia colony. Tomochichi and the Yamacraw greeted the English settlers warmly, and Tomochichi supported Oglethorpe's plan to settle a new English colony in Savannah, Georgia. He aided the plans for the settlement and smoothed relations with the Creek and other nearby Indian Tribes. Tomochichi also warned Oglethorpe about unfriendly tribes. As repayment for his advice and good counsel, Oglethorpe took Tomochichi, his wife, his nephew, and other Indian Chiefs to England where they stayed for four months. When Tomochichi died in 1739, he was buried at Wright Square in downtown Savannah. Oglethorpe served as one of the pallbearers and gave Tomochichi full military honors at his funeral. The Federal courthouse to be named in Tomochichi's honor is located in this same square.”