[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 128 (Wednesday, September 23, 1998)]
[House]
[Pages H8474-H8477]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   EXPRESSING SUPPORT FOR BICENTENNIAL OF LEWIS AND CLARK EXPEDITION

  Mrs. CHENOWETH. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to 
the resolution (H. Res. 144) to express support for the bicentennial of 
the Lewis and Clark Expedition, as amended.
  The Clerk read as follows:

                              H. Res. 144

       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 American 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;

[[Page H8475]]

       Whereas the Expedition held its first meeting with American 
     Indians at Council Bluff near present-day Fort Calhoun, 
     Nebraska, in August 1804, 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;
       Whereas the Expedition significantly enhanced amicable 
     relations between the United States and the autonomous 
     American Indian nations, and the friendship and respect 
     fostered between the American Indian tribes and the 
     Expedition represents the best of diplomacy and relationships 
     between divergent nations and cultures;
       Whereas the 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 House of Representatives--
       (1) expresses its support for the work of the National 
     Lewis and Clark Bicentennial Council and all the Federal, 
     State, and local entities and other interested groups that 
     are preparing bicentennial activities to celebrate the 200th 
     anniversary of the Lewis and Clark Expedition;
       (2) expresses its support for the events to be held in 
     observance of the Expedition at Council Bluff near present-
     day Fort Calhoun, Nebraska, at St. Louis, Missouri, at 
     Portland and Fort Clatsop, Oregon, and at Bismarck, North 
     Dakota, 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.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentlewoman from 
Idaho (Mrs. Chenoweth) and the gentleman from California (Mr. Miller) 
each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from Idaho (Mrs. Chenoweth).
  (Mrs. CHENOWETH asked and was given permission to revise and extend 
her remarks.)
  Mrs. CHENOWETH. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I am very happy to rise in support of House Resolution 
144 submitted by my colleague, the gentleman from Nebraska (Mr. 
Bereuter). This resolution would express congressional support for the 
bicentennial of the Louis and Clark Expedition, which is without a 
doubt one of the most remarkable and productive expeditions in American 
history.
  In fact, not only did this extraordinary expedition find plants and 
animals which were virtually unknown but also discovered new peoples 
and resources, all of which prepared the way for the pioneers to move 
westward and open up the large expanse of territory known as the 
American West.
  The spirit that was embodied in the people who were part of this 
westward movement lives on with us, and all of us in the West and in 
America, to this very day. This resolution, therefore, offers a fitting 
and appropriate tribute to the great achievements of the Louis and 
Clark Expedition.
  Among other things, the resolution declares that the House of 
Representatives will support the work of all the Federal, State and 
local entities who are celebrating the Louis and Clark Bicentennial, 
supports the events held in observance of that anniversary of the 
expedition and calls upon the President and the Secretary of Interior, 
the National Park Service and all Americans to support and participate 
in honoring the great accomplishments known as the Louis and Clark 
Expedition.
  I urge my colleagues to strongly support H. Res. 144.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. MILLER of California. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I 
may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I want to state at the outset, I agree with everything 
the gentlewoman from Idaho (Mrs. Chenoweth) has said. This is an 
historic moment, not as historic as Louis and Clark but an historic 
moment.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H. Res. 144, which is 
essentially a noncontroversial measure to express the support of this 
House of Representatives commemoration of the Louis and Clark 
Expedition. The expedition, under the leadership of Meriwether Lewis 
and William Clark was one of the great exploratory and scientific 
achievements of the 19th century. The upcoming bicentennial of this 
expedition and the recent Ken Burns film have renewed interest among 
the American public in the accomplishments of this expedition, and it 
is wholly appropriate that we commemorate the Louis and Clark 
Expedition, which nearly 200 years later still remains a notable event 
in the achievement of our country.
  For those who have, because of the renewed interest, those who have 
gone out to the West and tried to follow their journey, although the 
landscape of the West to some extent has changed, they are able to 
retrace great portions of the journey, and they start to appreciate 
what kind of monumental accomplishment this expedition was when one 
considers what knowledge they had in hand when they started at the 
outset of their journey, how little they actually knew and then what 
they accomplished and how they persevered and the hardships that they 
endured and, of course, what this expedition meant for the expansion of 
the United States and the opening of the West.
  It certainly is deserving of this kind of commendation from the House 
of Representatives but also renewed recognition by modern-day America 
of what these explorers were able to accomplish and what they 
encountered along the way and the extent of the journey that they 
accomplished.
  Mr. Speaker, therefore, I rise in strong support of this legislation 
and urge its passage and hope that the Congress will vote 
overwhelmingly for this matter.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman 
from American Samoa (Mr. Faleomavaega).
  (Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA asked and was given permission to revise and extend 
his remarks.)
  Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from California 
(Mr. Miller) for the opportunity to speak on behalf of this 
legislation, and I do commend the gentlewoman from Idaho (Mrs. 
Chenoweth) for bringing this legislation to the floor.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of House Resolution 144, which 
expresses the support of the House of Representatives for the National 
Louis and Clark Bicentennial Council and the commemorative activities 
that it is planning for the bicentennial of this famous expedition.
  The resolution also asks others to support and participate in the 
bicentennial celebration activities.
  Mr. Speaker, this legislation was referred to the Subcommittee on 
National Parks and Public Lands, but neither the subcommittee nor the 
Committee on Resources formally considered the legislation. The bill 
is, however, straightforward, and I am aware of no opposition. It 
commemorates and

[[Page H8476]]

supports the efforts of two Americans who helped convince the rest of 
the country of the benefit of, and I do not know about this word, 
acquiring new lands to the West, of the then existing borders, and we 
have all benefited from these efforts. I support the legislation, and I 
ask my colleagues to do the same.

                              {time}  1500

  Mr. MILLER of California. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for his 
comments and say how fortunate we are that so much of this historic 
journey is preserved in public lands where people can go and view and 
try to relive this experience.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman 
from Oregon (Mr. Blumenauer).
  Mr. BLUMENAUER. Mr. Speaker, I thank my friend for yielding time. 
This resolution is very important to those of us in the Pacific 
Northwest. I must say as the only Member of Congress to be an alumnus 
of the Lewis and Clark College, as somebody who was born and raised in 
the Northwest and steeped in the culture of that expedition, I am very 
pleased and proud that this is coming forward at this time.
  One hundred years ago in our community, the centennial of the Lewis 
and Clark Expedition was celebrated with a world's fair that had a 
tremendous impact on our community, on the Pacific Northwest and the 
West Coast. I am optimistic that we can have the same sort of national 
celebration along the 8,000-mile expedition route. I am pleased to 
commend the leadership of the gentleman from Nebraska (Mr. Bereuter) 
for the hard work that he has invested on the front end of the journey, 
and we are hopeful that we will be able to have as much energy and 
activity in the Northwest to complement that effort.
  The acquisition of the Louisiana Purchase was more than something 
that simply doubled the size of the United States. It was a purchase 
that helped us change our perceptions of our country and how we related 
to the rest of the world. It was a first step towards the United States 
becoming a truly global power with its bicoastal borders and the 
critical mass it had acquired. It also triggered some activities that 
are not part of perhaps some of our proudest moments in terms of our 
attitudes towards Native American citizens that frankly haunt us to 
this day. Tied up in that struggle as well was the question of slavery 
and how we added different chapters with each State being added to the 
union. And it was an activity that expanded our concept of the science 
of the time, the exploration adding to the geology, the botany, the 
geographical knowledge of the United States.
  It is with the spirit of discovery, in fact, the expedition itself 
was labeled the Corps of Discovery, that I am hopeful over the next 
five years that this planning process will be something that enables 
people from around the country to admire, to be involved with 
themselves. I look forward to the work that all of us in Congress can 
do, taking advantage of the cultural and geologic resources along this 
route to make it worthy of the historic journey that took place almost 
two centuries ago.
  Mr. MILLER of California. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may 
consume to the gentleman from Indiana (Mr. Roemer).
  Mr. ROEMER. I thank my friend from California for yielding time.
  Mr. Speaker, I just want to very briefly associate myself with this 
commemorative toward our great leaders Lewis and Clark. I do not know 
that there could be any kind of qualification for getting up to speak 
on a matter before Congress. Nothing seems to make us better informed 
than reading a book. However, if you have read the book, it does not 
mean that you are knowledgeable enough to get up and speak on a 
particular issue. I, however, take great pride in having read Stephen 
Ambrose's ``Undaunted Courage'' about Lewis and Clark's great adventure 
across the United States in the 1803-1804 period, of intrepid and 
courageous exploration, of discovery as scientists, of documenting new 
kinds of plant life and animal life. It is a fascinating journey that 
Thomas Jefferson helped argue for funding from Congress and who 
believed in this exploration and this courageous, intrepid, 
adventuresome spirit that Americans have always had. They had it then 
in the 1800s, they had it when we started this country, they have it 
today in 1998 in so many different ways. I have taken great pride and 
excitement in reading this book by Stephen Ambrose, ``Undaunted 
Courage,'' and just want to salute my colleagues for their hard work on 
this bill before us today.
  I have also had the pleasure of being on the Lewis and Clark trail in 
Montana, in following some of their path along the Madison River, in 
going up to some of the passes that they went through, and in really 
admiring what they were not only able to endure but what they were able 
to discover and document and take down as history for us. I think it is 
proof, Mr. Speaker, that providence and God have been with America for 
a long time. Not only were Lewis and Clark lucky and blessed in their 
efforts, they were skilled and talented in these efforts, to plod their 
way and explore their way and invent their way across America. I am 
very excited about this bill and this Lewis and Clark trail.
  Mrs. CHENOWETH. Mr. Speaker, I yield 4 minutes to the gentleman from 
Nebraska (Mr. Bereuter), the author of this resolution.
  (Mr. BEREUTER asked and was given permission to revise and extend his 
remarks.)
  Mr. BEREUTER. Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague for yielding me this 
time. I rise in strong support of H. Res. 144. This resolution which I 
introduced with the support of many of my friends and colleagues on 
both sides of the aisle expresses support for the bicentennial of the 
Lewis and Clark Expedition. It helps put a spotlight on the important 
activities which are planned to observe the 200th anniversary of Lewis 
and Clark's remarkable journey. I thank the Committee on Resources for 
permitting this resolution to come to the House floor. I particularly 
want to thank the distinguished majority leader the gentleman from 
Texas for his special assistance to this Member in bringing it to the 
House floor.
  The resolution specifically expresses support for events which will 
be held in observance of the expedition at St. Louis, Missouri; at 
Portland and Fort Clatsop, Oregon; at Bismarck, North Dakota, where the 
Mandans helped the expedition survive a very difficult first winter on 
the journey; and at Council Bluff near present day Fort Calhoun, 
Nebraska, and at other potential locations. Council Bluff in Nebraska 
was the site, for example, of the first meeting between the Lewis and 
Clark Expedition and the leaders of American Indian tribes during the 
journey. This meeting was clearly one of the most noteworthy occasions 
of the expedition. The events during that council and the description 
of it undoubtedly influenced the U.S. military to later establish 
something called Cantonment, Missouri, near the site and later Fort 
Atkinson, the first U.S. military fort west of the Missouri River.
  The resolution also expresses support for the work of the Lewis and 
Clark Bicentennial Council and governmental entities. In addition, it 
encourages participation in the bicentennial activities.
  The story of this incredible expedition has appeal for Americans of 
all ages and backgrounds and presents an opportunity for a unifying 
experience for our country. In the coming months and years, the public 
will undoubtedly increase its demands for more information about Lewis 
and Clark and their bold and courageous adventures. Although the 
bicentennial activities will not officially start until 2003, it is 
important to lay the groundwork now. This resolution complements 
another Lewis and Clark measure passed by the House on September 9 when 
we approved H.R. 1560, a bill introduced by this Member with over 290 
cosponsors which authorizes the minting of one-dollar and half-dollar 
coins to commemorate the bicentennial. These measures will play an 
important part not only recognizing the significance of the journey and 
its role it played in the Nation's development but also providing some 
financing to the bicentennial commission and the Interior Department.
  When Thomas Jefferson took office in 1801, the United States had only 
5.5 million people, all concentrated in the eastern third of the 
continent, primarily along the coast. As a result of

[[Page H8477]]

the Louisiana Purchase in 1803, the size of the country nearly doubled 
and the stage was set for a period of unparalleled development and 
progress. But first the new acquisition had to be explored. President 
Jefferson chose Meriwether Lewis and William Clark to, quote, explore 
the Missouri River and such principal streams of it, as, by its course 
and communications with the waters of the Pacific Ocean, whether the 
Columbia, Oregon, Colorado, or any other river may offer the most 
direct and practicable water communication across this continent for 
the purposes of commerce.
  Lewis and Clark departed St. Louis on May 14, 1804, and returned to 
St. Louis 28 months later, on September 23, 1806. They crossed 8,000 
miles, many States. Along the way they encountered formidable 
challenges that could easily have thwarted their mission. However, they 
continued to keep their focus firmly on the ultimate goal.
  This Member believes that passage of H.Res. 144 will draw increased 
attention to the planning and celebration of the upcoming important 
bicentennial activities in these States. As someone with a long-
standing interest in the expedition and a member of the newly formed 
Lewis and Clark Caucus, this Member is pleased to have this resolution 
considered on the floor, thanking his colleagues on both sides of the 
aisle, particularly the gentleman from Oregon who helped me in securing 
the movement of this legislation, and to the Committee on Resources.
  Mr. MILLER of California. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as she may 
consume to the gentlewoman from Oregon (Ms. Furse).
  Ms. FURSE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of House Resolution 
144. It expresses the support of Congress for the celebrations that 
will take place all across America during the Lewis and Clark 
Expedition bicentennial. Celebratory preparations are under way 
throughout my district in anticipation of the bicentennial, 
particularly in Astoria and all of Clatsop County. As many people know, 
the Lewis and Clark Expedition spent the winter of 1805 at Fort 
Clatsop, Oregon, which is in my district. In 1958, Congress established 
the Fort Clatsop National Memorial to preserve and protect this unique 
place in America's history. The present memorial marks the spot where 
Meriwether Lewis, William Clark and the entire Corps of Discovery spent 
106 days during the winter of 1805, difficult days. It is interesting 
to note that the decision to winter at Fort Clatsop was decided by a 
majority vote of the Corps of Discovery. That vote included the voices 
of an African-American and a Native American. Long before America would 
grapple with the right to vote for minorities, Lewis and Clark were 
exercising that purist form of democracy, proving once again that we 
get better decisions when all are at the table.
  It has been estimated that more than half a million people will visit 
Clatsop County and the Fort Clatsop National Memorial during the two 
bicentennial summers of 2004 and 2005. I was proud to help secure 
funding in TEA-21 to help our region plan for the upcoming celebration. 
In addition, I am working with our county commissioners, with the 
gentleman from Alaska (Mr. Young) and with the gentleman from 
California (Mr. Miller) on my legislation, H.R. 3378, which will allow 
the last piece of the Lewis and Clark trail known today as Sunset Beach 
to become part of the memorial itself. It is my hope we will be able to 
pass this bill before Congress adjourns for the year. The Lewis and 
Clark bicentennial will be a tremendous opportunity to reflect upon 
this unique and extraordinary achievement in American history.
  I commend the gentleman from Nebraska (Mr. Bereuter) for taking the 
time to highlight the upcoming bicentennial celebration with this 
important resolution, and I urge its passage.
  Mr. MILLER of California. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my 
time.
  Mrs. CHENOWETH. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume. I just want to say that this has been a distinct privilege for 
me to be able to help manage this bill through the floor. This Member 
lived on the Clearwater River close to Ahsahka, Idaho, where Lewis and 
Clark traveled on that waterway right after one of the most difficult 
periods of time in their trip, when they nearly lost their life going 
over the Lolo Pass because of a lack of food supply and having to 
suffer through the elements. Yet, undaunted courage certainly was 
pulled out of those people in very difficult circumstances.

                              {time}  1515

  In the 14 years that I spent living on that Clearwater River, living 
next to Ahsahka, where Lewis and Clark finally made their way to this 
spit of land that came out where the Clearwater joined the North Fork 
River of the Clearwater River, Lewis and Clark spent the winter there 
and carved out new canoes and reconstituted their food supply. So it 
has been a place of honor in my way of thinking; and, certainly, as a 
western woman, this has indeed been a privilege to be able to carry the 
bill of the gentleman from Nebraska (Mr. Bereuter) through. I must say 
that the bill is constructed, the resolution is constructed and 
written, in a very clear and concise way and that I know and I pray 
that in the future it will be interpreted just as the clear meaning of 
the wording of the resolution simply states.
  Mr. POMEROY. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of House 
Resolution 144 expressing the support of Congress in the celebration of 
the bicentennial of the historic Lewis and Clark Expedition. Nearly two 
hundred years ago, Congress played a role in this historic journey by 
financing a small part of the expedition which was charged with finding 
an all water route to the Pacific. Today, Congress can again play a 
role in one of the most remarkable and productive scientific and 
military exploring expeditions in all of American history by signaling 
its support for the bicentennial celebration activities and events.
  The Corps of Discovery contributed greatly to our knowledge of the 
West, not only with respect to geography but also of the natural 
resources, flora, fauna and animals present. Recognizing the pivotal 
role the journey played in our nation's history and the inevitable 
movement westward, the National Lewis and Clark Bicentennial Council is 
playing a leading role in coordinating and planning a variety of 
activities and events to commemorate the bicentennial. In addition, 
many committees and advisory boards have been formed across the country 
and are diligently working to ensure that the Lewis and Clark 
expedition is highlighted not only in the states in which the Corps of 
Discovery transversed, but throughout the nation.
  Nearly two hundred years after the Corps of Discovery, Americans of 
all ages have begun a national pilgrimage to follow the steps of 
Meriwether Lewis and William Clark. The success of the bicentennial 
commemorative activities planned all along the route will require the 
cooperation of all federal agencies, American Indian tribes, public 
officials and citizens alike. I believe it is important for all 
Americans to join in the celebration of this important American 
journey. We, as Members of Congress, must do all we can to support, 
promote and participate in the commemorative activities of the 
expedition, and I urge my colleagues to support the resolution.
  Mrs. CHENOWETH. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Miller of Florida). The question is on 
the motion offered by the gentlewoman from Idaho (Mrs. Chenoweth) that 
the House suspend the rules and agree to the resolution, H.Res. 144, as 
amended.
  The question was taken.
  Mrs. CHENOWETH. Mr. Speaker, I object to the vote on the ground that 
a quorum is not present and make the point of order that a quorum is 
not present.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 5 of rule I and the 
Chair's prior announcement, further proceedings on this motion will be 
postponed.
  The point of no quorum is considered withdrawn.

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