The Alabama Welsh Association have been campaigning to return a plaque commemorating the landing of the Welsh Prince near Fort Morgan in Mobile Bay, after he set sail from Rhos on Sea in 1170.

But despite securing a resolution to be discussed by State representatives, the Senate failed to raise the issue on the agenda.
President of the Alabama Welsh Association, Janice Gattis, was furious with the lack of interest.

She said: "We were failed by the Alabama Senate. They spent the entire session bickering and scoring political points instead of doing the job we pay them to do. An entire legislative session wasted instead of dealing with the legislative issues that were before them.
"Needless to say, they did not bring the Prince Madoc Resolution to the table, therefore, it was never voted on. The Legislative session for this year ended yesterday so this means we have to wait until January 2009, and we'll have to start over with the House of Representatives."

The monument was originally placed in Mobile Bay on November 10, 1953 by the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR), Virginia Cavalier Chapter, to celebrate the Welsh explorer who is believed to have discovered America around 300 years before Columbus.

But the Parks Department removed the plaque 20 years ago, and it has remained in storage since then after the site manager of Fort Morgan stated the park 'focuses on the United States military presence'.

After the Pioneer reported on the campaign in March, there has been a great deal of interest in helping restore this piece of Welsh heritage, with over 1600 signatures on an online petition.

And the group are now focused on reaching ten thousand names by January 2009 to strengthen their case in time for next year's resolution.

"We plan to have another memorial made to commemorate the landing of Prince Madoc to Mobile Bay," said Janice.
"The type of memorial is dependent on the funds we're able to collect, but we hope to be able to have a statue. We've not given up on the plaque donated by DAR which can be added to the location should we it work out."

If you would like to show your support in restoring the monument then visit the AWA website at www.alabamawelsh.com

What do you think about restoring a plaque to Prince Madoc? Have your say below!