[Congressional Bills 115th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 590 Agreed to Senate (ATS)]

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115th CONGRESS
  2d Session
S. RES. 590

Recognizing the 171st anniversary of the arrival of pioneers belonging 
 to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to the Great Salt 
   Lake Valley in Utah, and the contributions of the Church and its 
              members to the United States and the world.


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                             July 24, 2018

 Mr. Hatch (for himself, Mr. Lee, Mr. Crapo, Mr. Risch, Mr. Flake, Mr. 
 Heller, and Mr. Udall) submitted the following resolution; which was 
                        considered and agreed to

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
Recognizing the 171st anniversary of the arrival of pioneers belonging 
 to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to the Great Salt 
   Lake Valley in Utah, and the contributions of the Church and its 
              members to the United States and the world.

Whereas in the years following the establishment of The Church of Jesus Christ 
        of Latter-day Saints (referred to in this preamble as the ``LDS 
        Church'') in 1830, the early members of the LDS Church (referred to in 
        this preamble as ``Latter-day Saint pioneers'') experienced religious 
        persecution manifested through physical assault, destruction of their 
        houses and businesses, theft of their property, exile from their homes, 
        threats of violence and war, imprisonment, rape, and murder;
Whereas the petitions of the LDS Church to the United States Government for 
        assistance and redress were frequently unanswered and produced no 
        relief;
Whereas the leader and prophet of the LDS Church, Joseph Smith, and his brother, 
        Hyrum, were shot and killed by an armed mob;
Whereas in a letter addressed to the President of the United States, James K. 
        Polk, the new leader of the LDS Church, Brigham Young, wrote, ``. . . 
        [W]hile we appreciate the Constitution of the United States as the most 
        precious among the nations, we feel that we had rather retreat to the 
        deserts, islands or mountain caves than consent to be ruled by governors 
        and judges. . . who delight in injustice and oppression'';
Whereas in pursuit of liberty and religious freedom, the Latter-day Saint 
        pioneers journeyed westward in the winter of 1846, and ultimately 
        travelled more than 1,300 miles of wilderness across vast prairies, 
        barren deserts, jagged mountains, and turbulent rivers;
Whereas the Latter-day Saint pioneers endured extreme weather conditions, 
        illness, hunger, and exhaustion, resulting in the pioneers losing young 
        children, spouses, parents, and friends to exposure, disease, and 
        starvation;
Whereas upon entering the Great Salt Lake Valley in Utah on July 24, 1847, 
        Brigham Young announced, ``This is the right place,'' foretelling how 
        the valley would become home to many Latter-day Saints and their 
        posterity;
Whereas the Latter-day Saint pioneers worked together to plant crops, irrigate 
        fields, and build homes and businesses, transforming the desert into a 
        thriving community where they could live in safety and practice their 
        religion without prejudice and abuse;
Whereas on July 24, 1849, the Latter-day Saints first commemorated their arrival 
        to their new home with a procession to Temple Square in Salt Lake City 
        for a special devotional, followed by a feast of thanksgiving;
Whereas ``Pioneer Day'' is a Utah State holiday celebrated on July 24th to 
        remember and honor the early settlers with parades, flag ceremonies, re-
        enactments, devotionals, sporting events, feasts, dances, concerts, 
        festivals, rodeos, and fireworks;
Whereas the Latter-day Saint pioneers helped shape the settlement of the West by 
        constructing bridges, building ferries, clearing trails, establishing 
        communities, planting crops, expanding trade posts, erecting trail 
        markers, and charting maps, all of which assisted thousands of settlers 
        westward;
Whereas the Latter-day Saint pioneers exemplified what can be achieved when 
        industrious and resilient people work diligently and join together as 
        communities to build a stronger and brighter future; and
Whereas the bravery, determination, and ingenuity that the Latter-day Saint 
        pioneers demonstrated inspires citizens of the United States and people 
        across the world to triumph over adversity, to continuously strive 
        toward progress and innovation, and to press forward with unconquerable 
        faith and undaunted hope: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the Senate--
            (1) recognizes ``Pioneer Day'', on the 171st anniversary of 
        the arrival of the early members of The Church of Jesus Christ 
        of Latter-day Saints (referred to in this resolving clause as 
        ``Latter-day Saint pioneers'') to the Great Salt Lake Valley in 
        Utah;
            (2) acknowledges the many sacrifices of the Latter-day 
        Saint pioneers in their pursuit of liberty and religious 
        freedom; and
            (3) commends the Latter-day Saint pioneers and their 
        descendants for their significant contributions in facilitating 
        the settlement of the West, and providing an example of 
        courage, industry, and faith that inspires people throughout 
        the world.
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