Congressional Record, Volume 149 Issue 131 (Tuesday, September 23, 2003)

[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 131 (Tuesday, September 23, 2003)]
[House]
[Pages H8412-H8413]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

COMMEMORATING THE BICENTENNIAL OF THE LOUISIANA PURCHASE

Mr. PEARCE. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the
concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 21) commemorating the Bicentennial
of the Louisiana Purchase.
The Clerk read as follows:

H. Con. Res. 21

Whereas in 1803, the United States purchased the Louisiana
Territory from France for a total of $15,000,000;
Whereas President Thomas Jefferson designated Robert
Livingston and James Monroe to negotiate the treaty with
Napoleon Bonaparte;
Whereas the Louisiana Purchase included 827,987 square
miles, nearly 600,000,000 acres, the largest single land
purchase in our Nation's history;
Whereas the Louisiana Purchase territory stretched from
Canada to the Gulf of Mexico and from the Mississippi River
to the Rocky Mountains, nearly doubling the size of the
United States at that time;
Whereas this purchase enabled dramatic further westward
expansion and helped fuel the Nation's rise as a world power;
Whereas 15 States or parts of States were carved out of the
Louisiana Purchase territory, including Arkansas, Colorado,
Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana,
Nebraska, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Dakota,
Texas, and Wyoming;
Whereas the land was acquired by peaceful means, in stark
contrast to the usual methods of old-style empires, which
often conquered new territories by force;
Whereas the acquisition secured the United States' trading
abilities by guaranteeing its navigation rights on the
Mississippi River and its ability to send goods through the
Port of New Orleans for shipment to the Atlantic Coast and
Europe; and
Whereas generations of Americans have benefited from
President Jefferson's noble vision of America and his efforts
at expanding our new Nation onto the continent: Now,
therefore, be it
Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate
concurring), That the Congress celebrates the 200th
anniversary of the Louisiana Purchase, recognizes the
extraordinary work of the individuals involved in the
transaction, and is grateful for the tremendous part the
event played in fulfilling our Nation's Manifest Destiny.

The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from New
Mexico (Mr. Pearce) and the gentlewoman from the Virgin Islands (Mrs.
Christensen) each will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from New Mexico (Mr. Pearce).
Mr. PEARCE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, House Concurrent Resolution 21, introduced by the
gentleman from Louisiana (Mr. Vitter), would commemorate the
bicentennial of the Louisiana Purchase. As my colleagues know, the
Louisiana Purchase was the largest single land acquisition in our
Nation's history, 827,987 square miles, or nearly 600 million acres.
Purchased from France in 1803 for $15 million, it stretched from Canada
to the Gulf of Mexico and from the Mississippi River to the Rocky
Mountains, nearly doubling the size of the United States at the time.
Today, 15 States or parts of States exist within the area carved out by
the Louisiana Purchase.
House Concurrent Resolution 21 is a commemorative resolution that
would pay homage to one of the most significant events of our Nation's
history. I urge my colleagues to support House Concurrent Resolution
21.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mrs. CHRISTENSEN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may
consume.
(Mrs. CHRISTENSEN asked and was given permission to revise and extend
her remarks.)
Mrs. CHRISTENSEN. Mr. Speaker, it would be difficult to overstate the
historical significance of the Louisiana Purchase. Looking back, it is
difficult to imagine a single land purchase which doubled the size of
this Nation, and it is equally hard to imagine what America might look
like today had that purchase not been made.
We support the findings and sentiments expressed in this concurrent
resolution and support its adoption.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. PEARCE. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the
gentleman from Louisiana (Mr. Vitter), the sponsor of this resolution.
Mr. VITTER. Mr. Speaker, this year the United States celebrates this
very significant anniversary, the 200th anniversary of the Louisiana
Purchase.
In my home State of Louisiana in particular, but really all across
the country, celebrations are taking place throughout this year in
honor of the role this historic event played in our Nation's history.
When President Jefferson designated Robert Livingston and James Monroe
to negotiate the Louisiana Purchase treaty with Napoleon Bonaparte, he
hoped to secure for the country the Port of New Orleans and guarantee
access to the important trade route along the Mississippi River. Of
course, he did accomplish that; but he accomplished so much more than
even that, doubling the size of the new country. The whole territory
stretched from Canada to the Gulf of Mexico and included all or part of
what are now 15 States; and, of course, it enabled further westward
expansion by later settlers.

[[Page H8413]]

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It is noteworthy of course that this largest land transaction in our
country's history was accomplished without the use of force, which was
certainly in stark contrast to similar land transactions of earlier
countries and empires. The Louisiana Purchase has been call the
greatest land deal in history, as was mentioned, 600 million acres for
$15 million or about 4 cents an acre. Not only did the acquisition
guarantee our navigation rights along the Mississippi and our ability
to ship goods for foreign trade, but it was absolutely central to our
rise as a world power.
So it is fitting that we take a little time today to formally
recognize the significance these events played in shaping our country
and the way it benefited generations of Americans.
The Louisiana Purchase shaped the United States's destiny. Our
country will be forever grateful for the extraordinary work of the
individuals involved and the noble vision exercised by President
Jefferson. Robert Livingston who was a relative, by the way, of my
predecessor, Bob Livingston. As he signed the treaty, he perhaps put it
best: ``We have lived long, but this is the noblest work of our whole
lives . . . from this day the United States take their place among the
powers of the first rank . . . the instruments which we have just
signed . . . prepare ages of happiness for innumerable generations of
human creatures.''
I would like to thank my colleagues from Louisiana, also the
gentleman from Arkansas (Mr. Boozman) and the gentleman from Arkansas
(Mr. Ross), the site of the initial surveying in our new territory; the
gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Goode), home of President Jefferson; the
gentleman from California (Mr. Pombo), Chair of the Committee on
Resources, and all of the leadership for their work on this
legislation.
Mr. ROSS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to help commemorate an event in
our Nation's history that we can all join together in celebrating.
With the stroke of a pen in 1803, President Jefferson doubled America
in size, making us one of the largest Nations in the world. The
Louisiana Purchase comprised more than 600 million acres at less than 3
cents an acre in what today is the greater part of 13 states between
the Mississippi River and the Rocky Mountains.
Arkansas was one of those states--the third state formed after
Louisiana and Missouri. Two hundred years later, Arkansas continues to
prove itself a valuable asset to our Nation. Our state has contributed
much to our great country--our agriculture and other industries feed
our Nation and fuel our economy; our State's natural beauty is an
endless source of enjoyment for families and visitors. Arkansas has
supplied our Nation with food and fiber, entertainers, and even a
president.
The 828,000 square mile west of the Mississippi River is some of the
most beautiful and bountiful land in our country. If only $15 million
could go that far today! I invite my colleagues and our Nation to join
me in celebrating one of the single most noteworthy events in our
Nation's history--the Louisiana Purchase. This year as we celebrate the
bicentennial, I hope that you will visit Arkansas and any of the other
states that were purchased for so little, and that now prove to be
priceless.
Mr. ALEXANDER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the storied legacy
of the great state I represent, Louisiana. This year marks the
bicentennial of the Louisiana Purchase, and today I am proud to
commemorate this monumental event in our nation's history and in the
history of the state of Louisiana and welcome the nation's
participation in the yearlong celebration that will educate, entertain,
and impart a lasting wonder for Louisiana. I have the esteemed
privilege of representing Louisiana's fifth district, the `heart of
Louisiana'.
In 1803, Thomas Jefferson and Napoleon negotiated the United States'
purchase of Louisiana from France. With just two strokes of the pen,
our young nation doubled in size overnight, becoming one of the largest
nations in the world. The Louisiana Purchase, approved by treaty in
April of 1803, is called the most significant real estate transaction
in the history of civilization. Encompassing over 800,000 square miles
of land and costing about four cents per acre, the Louisiana Purchase
eventually became all or part of 15 states: Arkansas, Missouri, Iowa,
North Dakota, Texas, South Dakota, New Mexico, Nebraska, Wyoming,
Kansas, Minnesota, Oklahoma, Colorado, Montana and definitely not least
of all, Louisiana, my home state.
As part of the bicentennial celebration friends of the Louisiana
Purchase bicentennial have collaborated to provide museum exhibits,
concerts, films, re-enactments, and memorabilia. One of the museum
exhibits that is especially dear to me is the Heart of Spain at the
Alexandria Museum of Art in my district. Louisiana's history is
intertwined with that of Spain's, and the influences of Spanish culture
are still realized in the state's food, architecture, and government.
In honor of the Louisiana Purchase Bicentennial, the Alexandria Museum
of Art is inviting America, until November 30, to experience artifacts
from world-renown Spanish museums, monasteries, churches and private
collections El Corazon de Espana, in Alexandria, Louisiana offers a
unique opportunity to be nourished and inspired by art and culture that
is indicative of the friendship between Spain and Louisiana.
Mr. Speaker, I am thrilled to extend an invitation to my colleagues
and to the nation to live, learn, and love Louisiana's rich history.
When commenting to Thomas Jefferson on the Louisiana Purchase General
Horatio Gates said, ``Let the land rejoice for you have bought
Louisiana for a song.'' Today, I hope my colleagues will join with
Louisiana, its citizens and friends, in singing ``Happy Birthday.''
Mrs. CHRISTENSEN. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time,
and I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. PEARCE. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I
yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Foley). The question is on the motion
offered by the gentleman from New Mexico (Mr. Pearce) that the House
suspend the rules and agree to the concurrent resolution, H. Con. Res.
21.
The question was taken; and (two-thirds having voted in favor
thereof) the rules were suspended and the current resolution was agreed
to.
A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

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