[Congressional Bills 113th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 127 Introduced in Senate (IS)]

113th CONGRESS
  1st Session
S. RES. 127

 Commemorating the 10-year anniversary of the loss of the State symbol 
             of New Hampshire, the Old Man of the Mountain.


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                             April 25, 2013

   Ms. Ayotte (for herself and Mrs. Shaheen) submitted the following 
    resolution; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
 Commemorating the 10-year anniversary of the loss of the State symbol 
             of New Hampshire, the Old Man of the Mountain.

Whereas retreating glaciers carved the White Mountains, leaving behind the Old 
        Man of the Mountain (referred to in this preamble as the ``Old Man'') as 
        a sentinel to gaze across their granite majesty;
Whereas granite ledges formed the profile of the Old Man, framed by the sweeping 
        curve of the shoulder of a mountain;
Whereas the native son of New Hampshire and distinguished Member of the Senate, 
        Daniel Webster, wrote: ``Men hang out their signs indicative of their 
        respective trades; shoe makers hang out a gigantic shoe; jewelers a 
        monster watch, and the dentist hangs out a gold tooth; but up in the 
        Mountains of New Hampshire, God Almighty has hung out a sign to show 
        that there He makes men'';
Whereas both the proud visage and the steadfastness of the Old Man embodied the 
        character traits of independence, strength, and a dedication to live 
        free that are embedded in Granite Staters;
Whereas the home of the Old Man, New Hampshire, possesses a clear sense of its 
        place in the history of the United States as--

    (1) the first State to adopt its own constitution;

    (2) the State whose ratification of the Constitution of the United 
States helped bring forth this country; and

    (3) the State that, as host of the first presidential primary in the 
United States, has a continuing role in each election of the President;

Whereas the Old Man was visited by sightseers from around the world, who found 
        strength and inspiration in his image;
Whereas visits to the Old Man have inspired reverence for that which is 
        irreplaceable;
Whereas, for 10 millennia, the Old Man survived legendary winds, snow, rain, and 
        ice;
Whereas, on May 3, 2003, the time-worn granite ledges of the visage of the Old 
        Man released their hold on the mountain and fell into history;
Whereas the loss of the Old Man forever changed the face of New Hampshire and 
        was felt by all people of the State accustomed to living under his 
        watchful gaze;
Whereas the Old Man, who lived in the heart of the White Mountains, now lives on 
        in the hearts of the people of New Hampshire; and
Whereas, while Granite Staters mourn the loss of their granite man, they pay 
        tribute with a long glance up at the bare face of the grey mountain and 
        a pause in remembrance of the first citizen of the beloved State: Now, 
        therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the Senate--
            (1) recognizes the 10th anniversary of the loss of the Old 
        Man of the Mountain;
            (2) encourages the people of the United States to preserve 
        the legacy of the Old Man of the Mountain;
            (3) recognizes the inspiration provided by the Old Man of 
        the Mountain to generations of Granite Staters and visitors to 
        the State of New Hampshire; and
            (4) recognizes the Old Man of the Mountain as a symbol of 
        liberty, freedom, and independence.
                                 <all>