[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 157 (Monday, September 29, 2008)]
[House]
[Page H10615]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




50TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE FIRST VERTICAL ASCENT OF THE FACE OF EL CAPITAN 
                       IN YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK

  Mr. RAHALL. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee 
on Natural Resources be discharged from further consideration of the 
resolution (H. Res. 1474) recognizing the 50th anniversary of the first 
vertical ascent of the face of El Capitan in Yosemite National Park and 
honoring the historic climbing feat of the original climbing team, and 
ask for its immediate consideration in the House.
  The Clerk read the title of the resolution.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from West Virginia?
  There was no objection.
  The text of the resolution is as follows:

                              H. Res. 1474

       Whereas November 12, 2008, will mark the 50th anniversary 
     of the first vertical ascent of the face of El Capitan in 
     Yosemite National Park;
       Whereas in 1890 Yosemite National Park was established as 
     the third National Park of the United States;
       Whereas Yosemite National Park is commonly referred to as 
     ``The Crown Jewel of the National Park System;''
       Whereas Yosemite National Park is recognized as the 
     ``Climbing Mecca'' of the world;
       Whereas El Capitan is the world's tallest free-standing 
     granite monolith, with a summit elevation of 7,569 feet above 
     sea level;
       Whereas Wayne Merry, George Whitmore, and Warren J. 
     Harding, the original climbing team, with the assistance of 
     Wally Reed, Allen Steck, Bill ``Dolt'' Feuerer, Mark Powell, 
     John Whitmer, Rich Calderwood, and the ground support team of 
     Bea Vogel and Ellen Searby, completed the first vertical 
     ascent of the face of El Capitan on November 12, 1958;
       Whereas the first vertical ascent of the face of El Capitan 
     was accomplished on the Nose Route, recognized as one of the 
     most famous climbing routes in the world;
       Whereas November 8, 1958, marks the date when the final 
     push towards the summit of El Capitan was spurred on due to 
     deteriorating weather conditions;
       Whereas the first vertical ascent of the face of El Capitan 
     was accomplished in 47 days in expedition style;
       Whereas the first vertical ascent of the face of El Capitan 
     was accomplished by the original climbing team using fixed 
     ropes that linked established camps along the way;
       Whereas the original climbing team relied heavily on aid 
     climbing, using rope, pitons, and expansion bolts to make it 
     to the summit;
       Whereas thousands of rock climbers have reached the summit 
     of El Capitan since 1958 using the identical Nose Route; and
       Whereas on November 8, 2008, there will be an event in 
     Yosemite National Park celebrating the 50th anniversary of 
     the first vertical assent of the face of El Capitan: Now, 
     therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
       (1) recognizes the 50th anniversary of the momentous first 
     vertical ascent of the face of El Capitan in Yosemite 
     National Park; and
       (2) honors the historic climbing feat of the original 
     climbing team.

  The resolution was agreed to.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

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