[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 70 (Friday, May 23, 1997)]
[Senate]
[Pages S5104-S5106]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  COMMEMORATION OF THE BICENTENNIAL OF THE LEWIS AND CLARK EXPEDITION

  Mr. LOTT. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate 
proceed to the immediate consideration of Calendar No. 61, Senate 
Resolution 57.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report the resolution.
  The assistant legislative clerk read as follows.

       A resolution (S. Res. 57) to support the commemoration of 
     the bicentennial of Lewis and Clark Expedition.

  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there objection to the immediate 
consideration of the resolution?
  There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the 
resolution, which had been reported from the Committee on Energy and 
Natural Resources, with amendments; as follows:

  (The parts of the resolution intended to be stricken are shown in 
boldface brackets and the parts intended to be inserted are shown in 
italic.)

                               S. Res. 57

       Whereas the Expedition commanded by Meriwether Lewis and 
     William Clark, which came to be called ``The Corps of 
     Discovery'', was one of the most remarkable and productive 
     scientific and military exploring expeditions in all American 
     history;
       Whereas President Thomas Jefferson gave Lewis and Clark the 
     mission to ``. . . explore the Missouri River & such 
     principal stream of it, as, by its course and communication 
     with the waters of the Pacific ocean, whether the Columbia, 
     Oregon, Colorado or any other river may offer the most direct 
     & practicable water communication across this continent for 
     the purposes of commerce. . .'';
       Whereas the Expedition, in response to President 
     Jefferson's directive, greatly advanced our geographical 
     knowledge of the continent and prepared the way for the 
     extension of the American fur trade with Indian tribes 
     throughout the area;
       Whereas President Jefferson directed the explorers to take 
     note of and carefully record the natural resources of the 
     newly acquired territory known as Louisiana, as well as 
     diligently report on the native inhabitants of the land;
       Whereas Lewis and Clark and their companions began their 
     historic journey to explore the uncharted wilderness west of 
     the Mississippi River at Wood River, Illinois on May 14, 
     1804, and followed the Missouri River westward from its mouth 
     on the Mississippi to its headwaters in the Rocky Mountains;
       Whereas the Expedition spent its first winter at Fort 
     Mandan, North Dakota, crossed the Rocky Mountains by 
     horseback in August 1805, reached the Pacific Ocean at the 
     mouth of the Columbia river in mid-November of that year, and 
     wintered at Fort Clatsop, near the present city of Astoria, 
     Oregon;
       Whereas the Expedition returned to St. Louis, Missouri, on 
     September 23, 1806, after a 28-month journey covering 8,000 
     miles during which it traversed 11 future States: Illinois, 
     Missouri, Kansas, Nebraska, Iowa, North Dakota, South Dakota, 
     Montana, Idaho, Washington, and Oregon;
       Whereas the explorers faithfully followed the President's 
     directives and dutifully recorded their observations in their 
     detailed journals;
       Whereas these journals describe many plant and animal 
     species, some completely unknown to the world of science or 
     never before encountered in North America, and added greatly 
     to scientific knowledge about the flora and fauna of the 
     United States;
       Whereas accounts from the journals of Lewis and Clark and 
     the detailed maps that were prepared by the Expedition 
     enhanced knowledge of the western continent and routes for 
     commerce;
       Whereas the journals of Lewis and Clark documented diverse 
     American Indian languages, customs, religious beliefs, and 
     ceremonies; as Lewis and Clark are important figures in 
     American history, so too are Black Buffalo, Cameahwait, 
     [Sacajawea, Sheheke and Watkueis;] Sacagawea, Sheheke, 
     Watkueis, Twisted Hair, Tetoharsky, Yellept, and Comowool;
       Whereas the Expedition significantly enhanced amicable 
     relations between the United States and the autonomous Indian 
     nations, and the friendship and respect fostered between the 
     Indian tribes and the Expedition represents the best of 
     diplomacy and relationships between divergent nations and 
     cultures;
       Whereas the Native American Indian tribes of the Northern 
     Plains and the Pacific Northwest played an essential role in 
     the survival and the success of the Expedition;
       Whereas the Lewis and Clark Expedition has been called the 
     most perfect Expedition of its kind in the history of the 
     world and paved the way for the United States to become a 
     great world power;

[[Page S5105]]

       Whereas the President and the Congress have previously 
     recognized the importance of the Expedition by establishing a 
     5-year commission in 1964 to study its history and the route 
     it followed, and again in 1978 by designating the route as 
     the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail administered by 
     the Secretary of the Interior through the National Park 
     Service; and
       Whereas the National Park Service, along with other 
     Federal, State, and local agencies and many other interested 
     groups are preparing commemorative activities to celebrate 
     the bicentennial of the Expedition beginning in 2003: Now, 
     therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) expresses its support for the work of [the] the Lewis 
     and Clark Trail Heritage Foundation, the National Lewis and 
     Clark Bicentennial Council and all the Federal, State, and 
     local entities as well as other interested groups that are 
     preparing bicentennial activities to celebrate the 200th 
     anniversary of the Lewis and Clark Expedition during the 
     years 2004 through 2006;
       (2) expresses its support for the events to be held in 
     observance of the Expedition at St. Louis, Missouri in 2004 
     and Bismarck, North Dakota in 2005, and many other cities 
     during the bicentennial observance; and
       (3) calls upon the President, the Secretary of the 
     Interior, the Director of the National Park Service, American 
     Indian tribes, other public officials, and the citizens of 
     the United States to support, promote, and participate in the 
     many bicentennial activities being planned to commemorate the 
     Lewis and Clark Expedition.

  Mr. DORGAN. Mr. President, today we are considering Senate Resolution 
57, a resolution commemorating the bicentennial of the Lewis and Clark 
Expedition.
  The resolution asks public officials and other citizens to support, 
promote, and participate in the many bicentennial activities 
celebrating the Lewis and Clark Expedition. The resolution also 
expresses its support for the events to be held in observance of the 
expedition at St. Louis, MO, in 2004, at Bismarck, ND, in 2005, in 
Hohenwald, TN, at the Meriwether Lewis National Monument, and in many 
cities during the bicentennial celebration. It further commends the 
work of the National Lewis and Clark Bicentennial Council, Lewis and 
Clark Trail Heritage Foundation, public and private groups, and 
individuals that are preparing bicentennial activities to celebrate the 
200th anniversary of the Lewis and Clark Expedition during the years 
2004 through 2006.
  Senate Resolution 57 notes that the Lewis and Clark Expedition was 
one of the most remarkable and productive scientific and military 
expeditions in American history. President Thomas Jefferson directed 
that scientific, biological, geographic, and ethnographic information 
about the territory west of the Mississippi be gathered and reported. 
In ``Undaunted Courage,'' Stephan E. Ambrose wrote that President 
Jefferson directed that the first purpose of the expedition was ``to 
find the shortest & most convenient route of communication between the 
U.S. and the Pacific ocean, within the temperate latitudes.''
  After months of preparing for the journey into unknown territory, 
including learning celestial navigation, gathering equipment, and 
choosing men for the expedition, Meriwether Lewis and and his co-
captain William Clark began their journey west of the Mississippi at 
Wood River, IL, on May 14, 1804. The 40-person expedition wintered near 
Fort Mandan, ND, reached Fort Clatsop on the Pacific Ocean near present 
day Astoria, OR, and returned to St. Louis, MO, on September 23, 1806. 
Their 28-month journey covered 8,000 miles and traversed 11 future 
States: Illinois, Missouri, Kansas, Nebraska, Iowa, North Dakota, South 
Dakota, Montana, Idaho, Washington, and Oregon.
  The maps prepared on the expedition and the journals kept by 
Meriwether Lewis and William Clark carefully document their 
discoveries. The Lewis and Clark Expedition encountered and documented 
diverse American Indian people, languages, customs, religious beliefs, 
and ceremonies. The native American Indian tribes of the Northern 
Plains and the Pacific Northwest played an essential role in the 
survival and success of the Lewis and Clark Expedition.

  On their safe return to St. Louis, Lewis and Clark reported to 
Jefferson:

       In obedience to your orders we have penetrated the 
     Continent of North America to the Pacific Ocean, and 
     sufficiently explored the interior of the country to affirm 
     with confidence that we have discovered the most practicable 
     rout (sic) which does exist across the continent by means of 
     the navigable branches of the Missouri and Columbia Rivers.

  The National Park Service [NPS] also observes that:

       The Lewis and Clark Expedition was one of the most dramatic 
     and significant episodes in the history of the United States. 
     It stands, incomparably, as our Nation's epic in documented 
     exploration of the American West. During 1804-06, it carried 
     the destiny, as well as the flag, of our young Nation 
     westward from the Mississippi across thousands of miles of 
     uncharted lands to the Pacific Ocean.
  NPS goes on to say that:

       In its scope and achievements, the Expedition towers among 
     the major explorations in the history of the world. Its 
     findings contributed vital new knowledge concerning the 
     resources and inhabitants of the lands west of the 
     Mississippi River. The resulting geopolitical impact of the 
     mission had far-reaching effects upon international 
     boundaries and relations.

  The President and the Congress have previously recognized the 
importance of the Lewis and Clark Expedition by establishing a 5-year 
commission in 1964 to study the history and route of the expedition, 
and again in 1978 by designating the route as the Lewis and Clark 
National Historic Trail administered by the Secretary of the Interior 
through the National Park Service.
  Also, this resolution, which recognizes American heroes of the past, 
will help to bring history alive and enhance tourism along the Lewis 
and Clark trail. In North Dakota, the Lewis and Clark Visitor Center 
will celebrate its grand opening and dedication with activities June 6-
8, 1997, in Washburn, so I appreciate that the Energy and Natural 
Resources Committee has advanced this resolution in a timely way.
  I appreciate the support of the National Park Service and my 
colleagues in celebrating the bicentennial of the Lewis and Clark 
Expedition. I particularly appreciate as cosponsors Senators Murkowski, 
Bumpers, Thomas, Craig, Akaka, Smith of Oregon, Gorton, Johnson, 
Conrad, Burns, Reid, Thompson, Daschle, Frist, Kerrey, Bond, Murray, 
Cochran, Moseley-Braun, Ashcroft, and Coverdell.
  Mr. President, I urge all members of the Senate to vote in favor of 
Senate Resolution 57.
  Mr. LOTT. I ask unanimous consent that the committee amendments be 
agreed to, the resolution be agreed to, the preamble be agreed to, the 
motion to reconsider be laid upon the table, and that any statements 
relating to the resolution appear at this point in the Record.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  The resolution, as amended, was agreed to.
  The preamble was agreed to.
  The resolution (S. Res. 57), as amended, with its preamble, read as 
follows:

                               S. Res. 57

       Whereas the Expedition commanded by Meriwether Lewis and 
     William Clark, which came to be called ``The Corps of 
     Discovery'', was one of the most remarkable and productive 
     scientific and military exploring expeditions in all American 
     history;
       Whereas President Thomas Jefferson gave Lewis and Clark the 
     mission to ``. . . explore the Missouri River & such 
     principal stream of it, as, by its course and communication 
     with the waters of the Pacific ocean, whether the Columbia, 
     Oregon, Colorado or any other river may offer the most direct 
     & practicable water communication across this continent for 
     the purposes of commerce . . . '';
       Whereas the Expedition, in response to President 
     Jefferson's directive, greatly advanced our geographical 
     knowledge of the continent and prepared the way for the 
     extension of the American fur trade with Indian tribes 
     throughout the area;
       Whereas President Jefferson directed the explorers to take 
     note of and carefully record the natural resources of the 
     newly acquired territory known as Louisiana, as well as 
     diligently report on the native inhabitants of the land;
       Whereas Lewis and Clark and their companions began their 
     historic journey to explore the uncharted wilderness west of 
     the Mississippi River at Wood River, Illinois on May 14, 
     1804, and followed the Missouri River westward from its mouth 
     on the Mississippi to its headwaters in the Rocky Mountains;
       Whereas the Expedition spent its first winter at Fort 
     Mandan, North Dakota, crossed the Rocky Mountains by 
     horseback in August 1805, reached the Pacific Ocean at the 
     mouth of the Columbia River in mid-November of that year, and 
     wintered at Fort Clatsop, near the present city of Astoria, 
     Oregon;
       Whereas the Expedition returned to St. Louis, Missouri, on 
     September 23, 1806, after a 28-month journey covering 8,000 
     miles during which it traversed 11 future States: Illinois, 
     Missouri, Kansas, Nebraska, Iowa, North Dakota, South Dakota, 
     Montana, Idaho, Washington, and Oregon;

[[Page S5106]]

       Whereas the explorers faithfully followed the President's 
     directives and dutifully recorded their observations in their 
     detailed journals;
       Whereas these journals describe many plant and animal 
     species, some completely unknown to the world of science or 
     never before encountered in North America, and added greatly 
     to scientific knowledge about the flora and fauna of the 
     United States;
       Whereas accounts from the journals of Lewis and Clark and 
     the detailed maps that were prepared by the Expedition 
     enhanced knowledge of the western continent and routes for 
     commerce;
       Whereas the journals of Lewis and Clark documented diverse 
     American Indian languages, customs, religious beliefs, and 
     ceremonies; as Lewis and Clark are important figures in 
     American history so too are Black Buffalo, Cameahwait, 
     Sacagawea, Sheheke, Watkueis, Twisted Hair, Tetoharsky, 
     Yellept, and Comowool;
       Whereas the Expedition significantly enhanced amicable 
     relations between the United States and the autonomous Indian 
     nations, and the friendship and respect fostered between the 
     Indian tribes and the Expedition represents the best of 
     diplomacy and relationships between divergent nations and 
     cultures;
       Whereas the Native American Indian tribes of the Northern 
     Plains and the Pacific Northwest played an essential role in 
     the survival and the success of the Expedition;
       Whereas the Lewis and Clark Expedition has been called the 
     most perfect Expedition of its kind in the history of the 
     world and paved the way for the United States to become a 
     great world power;
       Whereas the President and the Congress have previously 
     recognized the importance of the Expedition by establishing a 
     5-year commission in 1964 to study its history and the route 
     it followed, and again in 1978 by designating the route as 
     the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail administered by 
     the Secretary of the Interior through the National Park 
     Service; and
       Whereas the National Park Service, along with other 
     Federal, State, and local agencies and many other interested 
     groups are preparing commemorative activities to celebrate 
     the bicentennial of the Expedition beginning in 2003: Now, 
     therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) expresses its support for the work of the Lewis and 
     Clark Trail Heritage Foundation, the National Lewis and Clark 
     Bicentennial Council and all the Federal, State, and local 
     entities as well as other interested groups that are 
     preparing bicentennial activities to celebrate the 200th 
     anniversary of the Lewis and Clark Expedition during the 
     years 2004 through 2006;
       (2) expresses its support for the events to be held in 
     observance of the Expedition at St. Louis, Missouri in 2004 
     and Bismarck, North Dakota in 2005, and many other cities 
     during the bicentennial observance; and
       (3) calls upon the President, the Secretary of the 
     Interior, the Director of the National Park Service, American 
     Indian tribes, other public officials, and the citizens of 
     the United States to support, promote, and participate in the 
     many bicentennial activities being planned to commemorate the 
     Lewis and Clark Expedition.

                          ____________________