HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 18
INTRODUCED BY D. LEWIS, E. CLARK
A JOINT RESOLUTION OF THE SENATE AND THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MONTANA RECOGNIZING THE 200TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE LEWIS AND CLARK EXPEDITION AND URGING NATIONAL RECOGNITION AND SUPPORT BY CONGRESS AND THE PRESIDENT.
WHEREAS, it was nearly 200 years ago that Thomas Jefferson envisioned a greater potential for the fledgling United States of America, and in pursuit of that vision negotiated the Louisiana Purchase; and
WHEREAS, in 1803, President Jefferson commissioned Captain Meriwether Lewis and William Clark to explore the Union's new holdings, including a search for a Northwest Passage to the Pacific Ocean; and
WHEREAS, in the spring of 1804, the undaunted Lewis and Clark and their 30-odd-member Corps of Discovery set out from the confluence of the Missouri and Mississippi Rivers on their intimidating quest; and
WHEREAS, over the next 1 1/2 years, the Lewis and Clark-led Corps, which included Sacajawea, explored the entire reach of the Missouri River, crossed the Continental Divide, met with many Indian nations that provided the Corps with guidance and support, and, as a result, found their way to the Pacific Ocean via the Columbia River and its tributaries; and
WHEREAS, after wintering near the mouth of the Columbia River, the band of explorers retraced their steps inland, again crossing the Continental Divide, and navigated the Missouri River and its tributaries to the expedition's place of beginning near St. Louis, Missouri; and
WHEREAS, the bicentennial anniversary of the Lewis and Clark Expedition will soon arrive, and with it thousands or even millions, of historians, reenacters, vacationers, sightseers, and modern-day explorers of various types who will follow the paths taken and visit the sites explored by the Corps of Discovery; and
WHEREAS, the 200th anniversary of the Lewis and Clark Expedition is as much a national celebration as it is a celebration within the states whose reaches the Corps of Discovery surveyed.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE AND THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MONTANA:
That the United States Congress and President Bush be urged to formally recognize the bicentennial anniversary of the Lewis and Clark Expedition and actively plan for and support appropriate celebrations of events commemorating the Expedition, an adventure that is unprecedented in America's history.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the United States Congress and President Bush be urged to not only honor the Expedition at the national level, but also to provide financial support to the states that are likely to be visited by thousands, perhaps millions, of fellow Lewis and Clark enthusiasts.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Secretary of State send copies of this resolution to the Montana Congressional Delegation, to the Congressional Delegations of the States of Illinois, Missouri, Nebraska, South Dakota, North Dakota, Idaho, and Oregon, and to President George W. Bush.
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