IV 112th CONGRESS 2d Session H. RES. 551 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

That the House of Representatives honors and commends the State of Arizona and its people on Arizona's centennial.