[Congressional Bills 110th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 1474 Engrossed in House (EH)]


                In the House of Representatives, U. S.,

                                                    September 29, 2008.
Whereas November 12, 2008, will mark the 50th anniversary of the first vertical 
        ascent of the face of El Capitan in Yosemite National Park;
Whereas in 1890 Yosemite National Park was established as the third National 
        Park of the United States;
Whereas Yosemite National Park is commonly referred to as ``The Crown Jewel of 
        the National Park System;''
Whereas Yosemite National Park is recognized as the ``Climbing Mecca'' of the 
        world;
Whereas El Capitan is the world's tallest free-standing granite monolith, with a 
        summit elevation of 7,569 feet above sea level;
Whereas Wayne Merry, George Whitmore, and Warren J. Harding, the original 
        climbing team, with the assistance of Wally Reed, Allen Steck, Bill 
        ``Dolt'' Feuerer, Mark Powell, John Whitmer, Rich Calderwood, and the 
        ground support team of Bea Vogel and Ellen Searby, completed the first 
        vertical ascent of the face of El Capitan on November 12, 1958;
Whereas the first vertical ascent of the face of El Capitan was accomplished on 
        the Nose Route, recognized as one of the most famous climbing routes in 
        the world;
Whereas November 8, 1958, marks the date when the final push towards the summit 
        of El Capitan was spurred on due to deteriorating weather conditions;
Whereas the first vertical ascent of the face of El Capitan was accomplished in 
        47 days in expedition style;
Whereas the first vertical ascent of the face of El Capitan was accomplished by 
        the original climbing team using fixed ropes that linked established 
        camps along the way;
Whereas the original climbing team relied heavily on aid climbing, using rope, 
        pitons, and expansion bolts to make it to the summit;
Whereas thousands of rock climbers have reached the summit of El Capitan since 
        1958 using the identical Nose Route; and
Whereas on November 8, 2008, there will be an event in Yosemite National Park 
        celebrating the 50th anniversary of the first vertical assent of the 
        face of El Capitan: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
            (1) recognizes the 50th anniversary of the momentous first vertical 
        ascent of the face of El Capitan in Yosemite National Park; and
            (2) honors the historic climbing feat of the original climbing team.
            Attest:

                                                                          Clerk.