Newburgh, NY - U.S. Representatives Maurice Hinchey (D-NY) and Nita Lowey (D-NY) today led French Ambassador to the United States Pierre Vimont on a tour of the Hudson River Valley National Heritage Area.  The tour included public events in Newburgh and Dobbs Ferry to celebrate the recently enacted Washington-Rochambeau Revolutionary Route National Historic Trail Designation Act, which Hinchey authored and Lowey cosponsored. 

"We are delighted that French Ambassador Vimont has come to the Hudson Valley to celebrate the designation of the Washington-Rochambeau Revolutionary Route National Historic Trail," Hinchey said. "The public will now literally be able to retrace the footsteps of General Washington and Comte de Rochambeau and gain a much greater appreciation for our region's rich history.  The French military support was critical to our country's success in the Revolutionary War, and I'm very pleased that this trail appropriately recognizes those contributions."

"Ambassador Vimont’s visit to Dobbs Ferry and Newburgh reminds us of the critical role French forces played in helping our nation gain its independence," said Lowey.  "By making the Washington-Rochambeau Revolutionary Route National Historic Trail a reality, New Yorkers will be able to enjoy the rich history that exists within our own back yard.  I welcome Ambassador Vimont to New York and look forward to enjoying the trail."

Hinchey, Lowey, and Vimont highlighted the benefits associated with the passage and subsequent enactment of Hinchey's bill earlier this year that formally designated the Washington-Rochambeau Revolutionary Route ("W3R") National Historic Trail.  The W3R Trail traces and commemorates the more than 600-mile route from Newport, Rhode Island to Yorktown, Virginia taken in 1781 by the armies of General George Washington and Lieutenant General Jean-Baptiste Donatien de Vimeur (Comte de Rochambeau) of France as well as the trail the forces took back north after their victory.  With the support of the French fleet commanded by Admiral François-Joseph Paul (Comte de Grasse), the combined Franco-American forces forced the surrender of General Cornwallis at Yorktown, ending major hostilities in the American Revolutionary War.  This crucial victory and the French military and financial support allowed the United States to realize its independence.

The Washington-Rochambeau Revolutionary Route National Historic Trail, which goes through eight states (Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, and Virginia) includes portions of the Hudson River Valley, recognizes the important military contributions by France to the American victory in the War of Independence and also helps to highlight the critical role played by the Hudson River Valley during the American Revolution.
 
The bill designates the route as a National Historic Trail, maps the route with educational signs, and gives administrative authority to the National Park Service through the Secretary of the Interior.  Additionally, the bill ensures that all private property rights are respected during the process of designating parts of the trail.