[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 106 (Monday, July 26, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1656]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     LEWIS AND CLARK EXPEDITION BICENTENNIAL COMMEMORATIVE COIN ACT

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                               speech of

                           HON. BARON P. HILL

                               of indiana

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, July 19, 1999

  Mr. HILL of Indiana. Mr. Speaker, I want to offer my support for H.R. 
1033, the Lewis and Clark Expedition Bicentennial Commemorative Coin 
Act.
  This bill will authorize the Department of the Treasury to mint 
500,000 one-dollar coins to commemorate the bicentennial of the Lewis 
and Clark Expedition.
  Mr. Speaker, many people don't realize it, but the expedition of 
these historic partners began at the Falls of the Ohio, in southern 
Indiana.
  In October of 1803, Meriwether Lewis and William Clark joined with 
other explorers at the Falls of the Ohio to set off on their journey to 
explore the Louisiana Purchase. The crew departed on October 26, 1803, 
thus marking Clarksville, Indiana as the actual point of origin for the 
Lewis and Clark Expedition. From there, the Explorers' remarkable 
adventures spanned over 8,000 miles of unknown land.
  Mr. Speaker, the residents of southern Indiana are proud of this 
heritage. Currently the three communities of Jeffersonville, 
Clarksville and New Albany are working together to build the Ohio River 
Greenway--an extensive project to revitalize the southern Indiana 
riverfront. The intended completion date for this project is set for 
2003, just in time for these three communities to come together in 
celebration of the 200 year anniversary of the beginning of the Lewis 
and Clark Expedition.
  This bill will help highlight the extraordinary expedition by Lewis 
and Clark and will provide support for the National Lewis and Clark 
Bicentennial Council and the National Park Service in efforts to plan 
and organize events to commemorate the bicentennial of this historic 
expedition.
  And no commemoration would be complete without noting southern 
Indiana's part in the Lewis and Clark story. I encourage all Americans 
wishing to retrace the steps of the explorers or to learn more about 
the importance of the expedition to our nation, to visit the Falls of 
the Ohio and surrounding area.
  I am proud that Congress is taking the initiative to promote and 
support the commemoration of such a remarkable piece of our American 
history.

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