[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 729 Agreed to Senate (ATS)]

<DOC>






119th CONGRESS
  2d Session
S. RES. 729

 Recognizing and honoring Meriwether Lewis and William Clark, and the 
   Corps of Discovery, for their expedition to explore the Louisiana 
                               Purchase.


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                              May 14, 2026

 Mr. Schmitt submitted the following resolution; which was considered 
                             and agreed to

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
 Recognizing and honoring Meriwether Lewis and William Clark, and the 
   Corps of Discovery, for their expedition to explore the Louisiana 
                               Purchase.

Whereas, on May 14, 1804, Captain Meriwether Lewis, Captain William Clark, and 
        the Corps of Discovery departed from St. Louis, Missouri, embarking on a 
        journey that would span more than 8,000 miles across the American 
        continent;
Whereas May 14, 2026, marks the 222nd anniversary of the departure of the Corps 
        of Discovery from the St. Louis region to explore the vast territory 
        acquired through the Louisiana Purchase;
Whereas the expedition endured extreme hardship, including harsh weather, 
        dangerous terrain, disease, hunger, and isolation, while displaying 
        extraordinary resilience and determination;
Whereas the Corps of Discovery produced invaluable maps, scientific 
        observations, and geographic records that deepened the country's 
        understanding of the American frontier and laid the groundwork for 
        future settlement, commerce, and development;
Whereas the expedition strengthened the sovereignty and strategic position of 
        the United States in North America during a pivotal period in the early 
        history of the United States;
Whereas the Lewis and Clark Expedition stands as a lasting symbol of the 
        American spirit of exploration, courage, and national ambition;
Whereas generations of Americans have continued to draw inspiration from the 
        perseverance and vision demonstrated by the Corps of Discovery;
Whereas, as the United States commemorates the 250th anniversary of the 
        Declaration of Independence, the Lewis and Clark Expedition reminds 
        Americans that the Founding generation passed to posterity not only a 
        set of principles, but a country to be explored, strengthened, defended, 
        and passed on; and
Whereas the 222nd anniversary of the expedition's departure provides an 
        opportunity to reflect upon the character, sacrifice, faith, courage, 
        and determination that helped build the United States into a great 
        nation: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the Senate--
            (1) honors the enduring legacy of the Lewis and Clark 
        Expedition and recognizes its profound importance to the 
        history, development, and identity of the United States;
            (2) honors the extraordinary courage, endurance, and 
        patriotism of Meriwether Lewis, William Clark, and the Corps of 
        Discovery on the anniversary of the launch of their historic 
        expedition from St. Louis, Missouri;
            (3) recognizes the Lewis and Clark Expedition as one of the 
        greatest feats of exploration and national achievement in the 
        history of the United States;
            (4) commemorates the vision of President Thomas Jefferson 
        in commissioning the expedition following the Louisiana 
        Purchase, which doubled the size of the United States and 
        helped secure the continental future of the United States by 
        executing the principles of ``manifest destiny'';
            (5) acknowledges the indispensable contributions of every 
        member of the Corps of Discovery, including the assistance 
        provided by Sacagawea, York, and other members, which aided the 
        expedition along its journey;
            (6) recognizes that the expedition helped establish the 
        geographic, commercial, and strategic foundations for the 
        expansion of the United States from the Mississippi River to 
        the Pacific Ocean;
            (7) celebrates the enduring connection between the Lewis 
        and Clark Expedition and the State of Missouri, the State from 
        which the Corps of Discovery embarked into the western 
        frontier;
            (8) recognizes that the spirit, self-reliance, 
        perseverance, faith, courage, scientific curiosity, and 
        confidence in the promise of the United States displayed 
        through the expeditious remains central to the character, 
        heritage, and soul of the country; and
            (9) encourages all Americans to study and reflect upon the 
        legacy of the Lewis and Clark Expedition and its lasting 
        significance in the history of the United States.
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