[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 110 (Wednesday, July 11, 2007)]
[House]
[Pages H7607-H7609]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    CELEBRATING THE 500TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE FIRST USE OF THE NAME 
                              ``AMERICA''

  Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules 
and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 287) to celebrate the 500th 
anniversary of the first use of the name ``America'', and for other 
purposes, as amended.
  The Clerk read the title of the resolution.
  The text of the resolution is as follows:

                              H. Res. 287

       Whereas Italian navigator Amerigo Vespucci was born in 1454 
     and traveled across the Atlantic Ocean 4 times between 1497 
     and 1504;
       Whereas during his second voyage to the Western Hemisphere 
     in 1499, Amerigo Vespucci realized that the land Christopher 
     Columbus discovered in 1492 was not India but a new 
     continent;
       Whereas cartographer Martin Waldseemuller, a member of the 
     research group Gymnasium Vosagense in Saint-Die, France, 
     first used the word ``America'' in his world map, which first 
     appeared in public on April 25, 1507, and described the newly 
     discovered Western Hemisphere as separated by the Atlantic 
     Ocean and an ocean known now as the Pacific Ocean, in its 
     first depiction;
       Whereas Waldseemuller chose to honor Amerigo Vespucci by 
     naming the new continent with Vespucci's name even while 
     Vespucci was alive;
       Whereas Waldseemuller described this decision in his 
     ``Cosmographiae Introductio'', the book that accompanied the 
     map, by writing, ``I see no reason why anyone should justly 
     object to calling this part . . . America, after Amerigo 
     [Vespucci], its discoverer, a man of great ability.''; and
       Whereas April 25, 2007, will be the 500th anniversary of 
     this first public use of the word ``America'', which now 
     serves as the root of the names of 2 continents: Now, 
     therefore, be it
       Resolved,  That the House of Representatives--
       (1) celebrates the 500th anniversary of the first use of 
     the name ``America'' to describe areas in the Western 
     Hemisphere;
       (2) honors the explorations of Amerigo Vespucci and other 
     navigators who contributed to the discovery of the Western 
     Hemisphere;
       (3) acknowledges the significance of Martin Waldseemuller's 
     1507 map of the world and accompanying book, ``Cosmographiae 
     Introductio'', which forever changed the accepted 
     geographical view of the world and first officially used the 
     name ``America''; and
       (4) encourages the inhabitants of all countries of the 
     Western Hemisphere who have the privilege to share this great 
     name ``America'' to join with the House of Representatives 
     and citizens of the United States of America in this historic 
     celebration.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentlewoman from 
Texas (Ms. Jackson-Lee) and the gentlewoman from Florida (Ms. Ros-
Lehtinen) each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from Texas.


                             General Leave

  Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that 
all Members may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their 
remarks and include extraneous material on the resolution under 
consideration.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentlewoman from Texas?
  There was no objection.
  Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of 
this resolution and yield myself as much time as I may consume.
  Let me first of all thank our colleague, Congressman Alcee Hastings, 
for introducing this meaningful measure that speaks to the very heart 
of our Nation, as well as its history.
  The resolution before the House today acknowledges the 500th 
anniversary of the use of the name ``America'' which first appeared on 
a map of the world drafted by a German cartographer, Martin 
Waldseemuller in 1507. The only known surviving copy of the first 
printed edition of this map is now housed in our own Library of 
Congress. It was the first map to depict the continent beyond Europe's 
western horizon, with the Pacific shown on its opposite shore as a 
separate ocean.
  This measure also acknowledges the contribution of explorer Amerigo 
Vespucci in radically shifting human understanding of world geography. 
No longer was the globe thought to be divided only among Europe, Asia 
and Africa. This, in turn, inspired Martin Waldseemuller to adopt 
Vespucci's given name and to confer it on the newly charted Western 
Hemisphere. Mr. Speaker, this might be called the first act of 
immigration.
  It is important that we celebrate this historic occasion because 
``America'' has come to symbolize much more than a name placed on a map 
half a millennium ago. For centuries, it has been seen by many as a 
promised land, where a new start offers endless possibilities. So many 
have come to our shores, seeking opportunity, fleeing persecution, 
fleeing prosecution against those values that they hold so dear, and 
looking for economic opportunity. And for decades, this country has 
played a global leadership role, offering hope for relief from 
oppression and tyranny.
  Our Independence Day festivities which we just celebrated with great 
gusto last week reminds Americans and the world every year of a unique 
place in history this country holds.
  I, for one, held the first Citizenship Day in the history of Houston 
on Independence Day. It was a joyful celebration of the freedom and the 
independence of those great days of this great Nation.
  I would like to acknowledge the Americans Abroad Caucus, which saw 
this resolution as an opportunity to promote international geographical 
understanding and to celebrate the expansive symbolism of this great 
and wonderful country. As well, it comes as an opportunity to support 
and emphasize the symbolism of the word ``America'' and what it has 
come to signify.
  I would also like to acknowledge the America 500th Birthday 
Organizing Committee and their ``Who Named America'' initiative which 
has coordinated a series of city, county and State proclamations 
consistent with the spirit of this resolution.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge all Members to support H. Res. 287.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of this resolution authored by 
my good friend and colleague, Mr. Hastings of Florida, a resolution 
that commemorates the first use of the name ``America'' by European map 
makers.
  When Italian photographer and navigator Amerigo Vespucci, the 
merchant, explorer and cartographer, set sail on his first westward 
bound voyage across the Atlantic, probably in the year 1497, he did so 
in search of a faster trading route to China. But in the course of his 
travels, he set foot instead in what is now the continent of South 
America.
  From widely published letters attributed to him at the time, 
Europeans first came to know of the vast continents of this new world, 
lands that would come to play such a dominant role in the history of 
the Old World during the next four centuries.
  From these letters, Amerigo's destiny as a namesake for our home on 
the world maps that followed was assured.
  This resolution of Mr. Hastings reminds us that no matter where we 
live in the northern or southern hemisphere, we are Americans, united 
by a common history.
  I thank my colleague from Florida (Mr. Hastings) for offering this 
resolution.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I'm delighted to yield such 
time as he might consume to the sponsor of this bill, Representative 
Alcee L. Hastings, who is the chairman of the Rules Subcommittee on the 
Legislative and Budget Process and is also the international 
chairperson of the Helsinki Commission.
  Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I thank my good friend from 
Houston for yielding time.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of House Resolution 287, 
a resolution, as has been stated by both my good friends, that 
celebrates the 500th anniversary of the first use of the name 
``America.''
  I'd like to especially thank the original cosponsors that worked with 
me to introduce the legislation: Majority Leader Steny Hoyer; and the 
leaders

[[Page H7608]]

of the Americans Abroad Caucus, Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney and 
Congressman Joe Wilson.

                              {time}  1745

  I also want to thank the chairman and ranking Republican of the 
Foreign Affairs Committee, my good friend, Chairman Lantos, and my good 
friend from Florida, we came here together, my colleague, 
Representative Ros-Lehtinen, for supporting this legislation and 
bringing it to the floor today.
  Finally, I would like to express my deep appreciation to 
Representative Eliot Engel and his staff for their help in moving this 
resolution forward. I would be terribly remiss if I did not mention a 
young man in my office, that this is among his first experiences, Alex 
Johnson, who found the work, not robbery, to bring this forward along 
with my legislative director, David Goldenberg.
  It is important to recognize the collaborative community initiative 
that has emerged to commemorate this occasion. The Americans Abroad 
Caucus and the national initiative for similar proclamations in all 50 
States coordinated by the America 500 Birthday Organizing Committee 
have established a foundation for this important resolution to be taken 
up for floor consideration today.
  This resolution transcends the simple acknowledgment of the first use 
of a term on a map, but, rather, commemorates scientific achievement 
toward a shared understanding of the world. It is this world which 
increasingly exchanges culture, technology, and scientific advancement 
that thrives through shared understanding and the innovation we 
celebrate today.
  When German cartographer Martin Waldseemuller first used America to 
identify a previously uncharted continent on his, previously mentioned 
by Ms. Jackson-Lee and Ms. Ros-Lehtinen, 1507 map of the world, I doubt 
that he truly realized the magnitude of his achievement. His choice of 
the term ``America'' to memorialize the voyages of Amerigo Vespucci 
shifted the geographical understanding of the world and established a 
term that would be attributed with symbolic identity in the centuries 
to come.
  This symbolic identity is the source of pride that continues to 
motivate me and all of us to serve this great Nation. It is this 
American spirit which guides our role in the world and should motivate 
all Americans to work towards a renewed commitment to positive 
international relations.
  My colleagues should know that the last remaining copy, and I believe 
Ms. Jackson-Lee pointed it out in her remarks, remains as a trust, as a 
top treasure of the Library of Congress. I would encourage my 
colleagues and citizens in this country to visit and see this treasure 
which established the geographical origin of the American identity.
  Again, I thank Chairman Lantos, Ranking Member Ros-Lehtinen, and 
Representative Engel for their work on this. I urge my colleagues to 
support this resolution and join me to commemorate the origin of the 
term which has resulted in an international American identity.
  Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of our time.
  Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Let me thank the distinguished gentleman 
from Florida. Again, let me acknowledge Mr. Lantos, Ms. Ros-Lehtinen 
and Mr. Engel as well. This is an important piece of history, and I am 
very grateful for this legislation to provide us another chain link, if 
you will, another connection to the history of America.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to support this legislation, which 
is H. Res. 287.
  Mr. HOYER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commemorate the 500th 
anniversary of the first use of the word ``America''--a name that has 
come to symbolize liberty, opportunity and an unyielding hope for 
humanity.
  In the 500 years that have passed since the word ``America'' was 
first used, the term has become more of a concept than a name--an idea 
that celebrates what is truly special about the world in which we live; 
a principle that defines what democracy, equality, freedom and unity 
are all about; and a goal that people all over the world have embraced 
since our country's inception.
  We have come a long way since 1507--from a simple name on a map, to a 
moral, political and economic leader among nations. It gives me great 
pride to mark this 5th centenary of the name ``America,'' and to 
express my sincere hope that the next 500 years of our country's 
history provide just as many benefits to the people of the world as the 
last 500.
  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, today we celebrate the 500th 
anniversary of the first use of the name America, to describe areas in 
the Western Hemisphere. These areas are named after Amerigo Vespucci, 
an Italian Explorer on a quest to find new lands. He is one of many 
from that era who craved the exploration of new worlds and ideas. 
Although Vespucci's intention was to conquer land for Italy, he 
ultimately helped to create a place that today is one of the most 
diverse places on earth. Vespucci took a bold step, defying previous 
thinking that the land we live on was part of India.
  Today we recognize the anniversary of Amerigo's discovery as a 
reminder of how important it is to challenge preconceived notions, and 
how critical it is that we keep exploring new ideas and sciences.
  We are a people who live and breathe discovery. Our history holds 
many examples of our desire to explore. This country has gone to the 
Moon and intertwined computers into our everyday lives. We have created 
vaccines to help eradicate polio and other life threatening diseases. 
We use our ambition to explore, and as a means to be competitive in the 
world we live in.
  Today we must continue to honor our historical drive for exploration. 
Unlike Vespucci's quest which was to only benefit a small subset of 
people, today we must give anyone the opportunity to be involved with 
the exploration and to partake in the benefits of our successes. Only 
about 6 percent of practicing physicians are Latino, African American 
and Native American today, and according to an analysis by the 
Commission on Professionals in Science and Technology, the percentage 
of African Americans receiving bachelor's degrees in engineering is 
only 4.7 percent of all engineering graduates. Minorities and women are 
often left out of these fields. There is no reason for these 
discriminations. We should push all young people to discover science 
and mathematics and to understand there are jobs that interact with 
those fields. We especially need to push minorities and women who have 
not gotten those opportunities to achieve in those fields.
  We have made progress since the last election in helping every young 
person to become involved with math and science. The house recently 
passed The 21st Century Competitiveness Act of 2007, which establishes, 
revises, and extends specified science, mathematics, education, 
engineering, technology, research, and training programs, however; we 
need to keep improving math and science education for young people. We 
should increase computer interaction in poverty stricken areas and 
increase young minority student's interactions with math and science at 
a younger age.
  In the celebration of America and Amerigo Vespucci, let us pledge to 
continue our quest for exploration and discovery. Let us continue to 
take bold steps as he once did to move in a direction where we can use 
new technology and discoveries to improve the lives of millions not 
just those in positions of power, but for even the most underprivileged 
in our society.
  Mrs,. MALONEY of New York. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H. 
Res. 287 which honors the 500th Anniversary of the name ``America.''
  The story of the origin of our country's name is one of great 
discovery and dedication that embodies our national spirit.
  On April 25, 1507 cartographer Martin Waldseemuller of the research 
group Gymnasium Vosagense in Saint-Die, France changed the way 
Europeans perceived the world by first depicting the Western Hemisphere 
in his 1507 World Map. He labeled the land ``America,'' marking the 
first official use of the word. The only remaining copy of this map is 
housed next door in the Library of Congress.
  Waldseemuller named the land after Italian navigator Amerigo 
Vespucci. Although explorers like Christopher Columbus already 
discovered what we now know to be the Western Hemisphere, Vespucci was 
the first to realize that it was not India but an entirely new 
continent.
  Mr. Speaker, I am proud to honor the name ``America.'' Truly 
encompassing the American spirit, this name was derived from those 
challenging the status quo to improve our world and persevering in the 
face of doubt. Today we are not only honoring the name America but all 
Americans who have the great privilege of sharing this name and all it 
embodies.
  Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H. Res. 287 and thank 
our colleague, Congressman Alcee L. Hastings, for sponsoring this 
excellent resolution.
  In 1507, German cartographer Martin Waldseemuller [VALD-say-meuller] 
drafted a map of the world that inaugurated the use of the name 
``America,'' acknowledging the contributions of explorer Amerigo 
Vespucci, which forever altered the accepted geographical view of the 
world.

[[Page H7609]]

  As Chair of the Subcommittee on the Western Hemisphere, with 
jurisdiction over the Americas--Latin America and Central America, 
North and South America--I am keenly aware that the use of this name 
has forever defined the region where we all live.
  As we commemorate 500 years of the use of the name ``America'', let 
us rededicate ourselves to promoting better and closer relations 
between the United States and the countries of the Americas and hope 
that the next 500 years will be an era of peace and prosperity 
throughout the hemisphere.
  I urge Committee Members to support H. Res. 287.
  Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my 
time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentlewoman from Texas (Ms. Jackson-Lee) that the House suspend the 
rules and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 287, as amended.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the 
rules were suspended and the resolution, as amended, was agreed to.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

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