[Congressional Bills 112th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 551 Introduced in House (IH)]

112th CONGRESS
  2d Session
H. RES. 551

                  Celebrating the Arizona centennial.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                           February 15, 2012

 Mr. Schweikert (for himself, Mr. Flake, Mr. Quayle, Mr. Grijalva, Mr. 
Pastor of Arizona, Mr. Gosar, and Mr. Franks of Arizona) submitted the 
following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Oversight 
                         and Government Reform

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
                  Celebrating the Arizona centennial.

Whereas, on February 14, 1912, after nearly 49 years as a United States 
        territory and thousands of years as a sacred home to indigenous peoples, 
        Arizona became the 48th State and the last of the contiguous states to 
        enter the Union of the United States;
Whereas in 2008, in order to commemorate its centennial and to properly 
        celebrate the history of its people, the Arizona Centennial Commission 
        was established to develop a comprehensive plan to specially mark such 
        an auspicious occasion;
Whereas Arizona has been home to some of the most influential citizens in United 
        States history including Barry Goldwater, William Rehnquist, Carl 
        Hayden, Mo Udall, Sandra Day O'Connor, and Pat Tillman;
Whereas after being explored by Europeans in the 1500s, first by Spanish 
        Franciscan Marcos de Niza and later by the Spanish explorer Coronado, 
        Arizona is now known around the world as the Grand Canyon State for its 
        breathtaking natural formations and unique beauty;
Whereas Arizona, among all the States, has the largest percentage of its land 
        set aside and designated as Indian lands;
Whereas Arizona is the home of the Salt River Pima, Gila River, Fort McDowell, 
        Pascua Yaqui, and many other indigenous communities;
Whereas Arizona is home to Oraibi, the oldest Indian settlement in the United 
        States, which was founded by the Hopi Indian Tribe;
Whereas the Navajo Code talkers helped safeguard United States military secrets 
        during the Second World War;
Whereas in 2001, the Arizona Diamondbacks defeated the New York Yankees 4 games 
        to 3 in the World Series, becoming the youngest expansion franchise to 
        win the World Series;
Whereas Arizona's State flag consists of 13 rays of red and yellow to symbolize 
        its picturesque sunsets and the 13 original colonies, a copper star to 
        represent the copper mining industry, and a blue background to represent 
        liberty;
Whereas Arizona's centennial engenders a sense of unity and pride in the diverse 
        nature of Arizona's people, and reminds Arizonans of the need to leave a 
        lasting legacy for generations to come; and
Whereas the sun shines in Arizona more than 85 percent of the time: Now, 
        therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the House of Representatives honors and commends the 
State of Arizona and its people on Arizona's centennial.
                                 <all>