[Congressional Bills 109th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 252 Introduced in Senate (IS)]








109th CONGRESS
  1st Session
S. RES. 252

 Recognizing the Bicentennial Anniversary of Zebulon Montgomery Pike's 
        explorations in the interior west of the United States.


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                           September 27, 2005

   Mr. Salazar (for himself and Mr. Allard) submitted the following 
    resolution; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
 Recognizing the Bicentennial Anniversary of Zebulon Montgomery Pike's 
        explorations in the interior west of the United States.

Whereas Zebulon Montgomery Pike was born January 5, 1779, in Lamberton, New 
        Jersey, to a military family, which quickly was on the move across the 
        Nation with Pike growing up on frontier military posts;
Whereas Zebulon Montgomery Pike served the United States with distinction, 
        initially as a commissioned First Lieutenant in the First Infantry 
        Regiment of the United States Army, later as a Captain, further as a 
        Colonel of the 15th Regiment during the War of 1812, and ultimately as a 
        Brigadier General in 1813;
Whereas in July of 1806, Zebulon Montgomery Pike was given the assignment of 
        leading an expedition west from present-day St. Louis, Missouri, up the 
        Arkansas River to its source in the highest of the Rocky Mountains, then 
        into Colorado's San Luis Valley;
Whereas Zebulon Montgomery Pike and his expedition traveled through the present 
        day states of Missouri, Nebraska, Kansas, and Colorado observing the 
        geography, natural history, and population of the country through which 
        he passed;
Whereas Zebulon Montgomery Pike and his expedition reached the site of present 
        day Pueblo, Colorado on November 23, 1806, and, fascinated with a blue 
        peak in the Rocky Mountains to the west, Pike set out to explore the 
        mountain;
Whereas Zebulon Montgomery Pike was prevented from completing the ascent due to 
        waist-deep snow, inadequate clothing, and sub-zero temperatures, and so 
        chose to turn back for the safety of his expedition;
Whereas Zebulon Montgomery Pike never set foot on ``Pike's Peak'' but did 
        contribute significantly to the interior west's early exploration 
        through the headwaters of the Arkansas River;
Whereas Zebulon Montgomery Pike and his expedition found the area of present day 
        Great Sand Dunes National Park in Colorado and the headwaters of the Rio 
        Grande, which he mistakenly thought was the Red River; and
Whereas on April 27, 1813, Zebulon Montgomery Pike died in valiant service to 
        his country, leading an attack on York, later to become Toronto, during 
        the War of 1812: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the Senate--
            (1) recognizes the year 2006 as the 200th anniversary of 
        Zebulon Montgomery Pike's discoveries throughout the American 
        West; and
            (2) encourages the people of the United States to observe 
        and celebrate his contributions to our Nation's history with 
        appropriate ceremonies and activities throughout the year.
                                 <all>