We, the undersigned students, alumni, faculty and staff of Middle Tennessee State University and concerned citizens, do formally petition the 69th Congress of the Student Government Association to repeal, or reverse by any means necessary, SGA Resolution 19-06-F, concerning the removal of \"Forrest Hall\" from the ROTC Building for the following reasons: President Andrew Johnson formally pardoned Nathan Bedford Forrest of questionable military tactics during the Civil War; Forrest\'s relationship with and involvement in the Ku Klux Klan is not clear: some reports suggest his involvement was critical, while still others note he was not involved at all; However, it is a historical fact that Nathan Bedford Forrest publicly denounced the violent actions by the Ku Klux Klan and called for its disbanding in 1869. We, the undersigned, do acknowledge the historical significance of Nathan Bedford Forrest in relation to both military history and the history of Murfreesboro. Not only was Brigadier General Forrest an brilliant military strategist, whose military tactics are still taught in U.S. Military Institutions today, and a fierce commander on the battlefield, but he also liberated the residents of Murfreesboro from Union control on July 13, 1862. However questionable the history and actions of Nathan Bedford Forrest, we believe that his advanced military strategies and significant contribution to the residents of Murfreesboro warrant the naming of the Middle Tennessee State University ROTC building in his honor.

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