109 HRES 930 IH: Recognizing and honoring York for his role U.S. House of Representatives 2006-07-20 text/xml EN Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

IV 109th CONGRESS 2d Session H. RES. 930 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES July 20, 2006 Mr. Thompson of Mississippi submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Government Reform RESOLUTION Recognizing and honoring York for his role in the Lewis and Clark Expedition.

Whereas in 1804, Captain Meriwether Lewis, Captain William Clark, and a band of 32 men and 1 woman became the first Americans to explore the lands acquired in the Louisiana Purchase; Whereas among the explorers was an African American who is known only as William Clark’s slave, York; Whereas York played an integral role in the success of the mission, including hunting, gathering wood, and participating in all the tasks necessary to the success of the expedition; Whereas York’s contribution to the expedition led to Clark naming “York’s 8 Islands” and “York’s Dry River” after him; Whereas York was the only member of the expedition who was not awarded land or pay upon return; Whereas upon return, York was returned to the degradation and captivity of slavery; and Whereas this year the Nation celebrates the bicentennial of the Lewis and Clark Expedition: Now, therefore, be it

That the House of Representatives— (1)honors York for his contributions to the Lewis and Clark Expedition; (2)recognizes York as the first African American to explore the lands acquired in the Louisiana Purchase; (3)urges students of American history to study the regrettably often overlooked role of York in the Lewis and Clark Expedition.