[Congressional Bills 110th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 923 Engrossed in House (EH)]


                In the House of Representatives, U. S.,

                                                          June 3, 2008.
Whereas Minnesota was established as a territory on March 2, 1849, and became 
        the 32nd State on May 11, 1858;
Whereas Minnesota is also known as the ``Gopher State'', the ``North Star 
        State'', and the ``Land of 10,000 Lakes'';
Whereas Minnesota's name comes from the Dakota word ``minesota'', meaning 
        ``water that reflects the sky'', and Native Americans continue to play a 
        defining role in Minnesota's proud heritage;
Whereas the cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul were established after the 
        completion of nearby Fort Snelling, a frontier outpost and training 
        center for Civil War soldiers;
Whereas more than 338,000,000 tons of Minnesota iron ore were shipped between 
        1940 and 1945 that contributed to the U.S. military victory in World War 
        II, and an additional 648,000,000 tons of iron ore were shipped between 
        1945 and 1955 that boosted post-war economic expansion in the U.S.;
Whereas in 1889, the Saint Mary's Hospital, now known as the Mayo Clinic, opened 
        its doors to patients in Rochester, Minnesota, and is now known 
        worldwide for its cutting-edge care;
Whereas Minnesota continues to be a leader in innovation and is currently home 
        to more than 35 Fortune 500 Companies;
Whereas Minnesota houses over 30 institutions of higher education including the 
        University of Minnesota, a world-class research university where the 
        first open heart surgery and first bone marrow transplant was performed 
        in the United States;
Whereas farmland spans over half of Minnesota's 54 million acres and the 
        agriculture industry is Minnesota's second largest job market, employing 
        nearly 80,000 farmers;
Whereas Minnesota is the Nation's number one producer of sugarbeets and turkeys;
Whereas Minnesota is a national leader in the production and use of renewable 
        energy, which helps our Nation reduce its dependency on foreign sources 
        of oil;
Whereas the Mall of America located in Bloomington, Minnesota, is the Nation's 
        largest retail and entertainment complex, spanning 9,500,000 square feet 
        and providing more than 11,000 jobs;
Whereas Minnesota has 90,000 miles of lake and river shoreline, which includes 
        the coast of Lake Superior, the largest of North America's Great Lakes;
Whereas the Minneapolis-St. Paul area is nationally recognized for its parks, 
        museums, and cultural events; and
Whereas the people of Minnesota have a timeless reputation of compassion, 
        strength, and determination: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the House of Representatives congratulates the State of 
Minnesota on its 150th anniversary and the contributions it continues to make to 
America's economy and heritage.
            Attest:

                                                                          Clerk.