[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 147 (Tuesday, October 13, 2009)]
[House]
[Page H11191]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


   SUPPORTING RECOGNITION OF COLUMBUS AND HIS ROLE IN UNITED STATES 
                                HISTORY

  Mr. SABLAN. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the 
resolution (H. Res. 822) expressing support for students to learn about 
Christopher Columbus.
  The Clerk read the title of the resolution.
  The text of the resolution is as follows:

                              H. Res. 822

       Whereas Columbus Day is celebrated the second Monday in 
     October every year to honor Christopher Columbus;
       Whereas Christopher Columbus arrived in the Americas on 
     October 12, 1492, and is credited with initiating the 
     European colonization of the Americas;
       Whereas tributes and memorials to Christopher Columbus 
     exist today in almost every State in the Nation;
       Whereas the discovery and colonization of the Americas is 
     an integral part of the history and heritage of the United 
     States;
       Whereas according to the National Assessment of Educational 
     Progress in 2006, less than half of the country's high school 
     seniors had a basic knowledge of United States history;
       Whereas 29 States require high school students to take a 
     class in civics or government;
       Whereas a proficient knowledge of the history and heritage 
     of the United States is important to promoting additional 
     civic involvement; and
       Whereas educating today's young people about the history 
     and heritage of the United States is essential to creating an 
     informed generation of citizens: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
       (1) supports the recognition of Christopher Columbus and 
     his role in the discovery and history of the United States;
       (2) recognizes that it is important for young people to 
     learn about Christopher Columbus and the discovery, heritage, 
     and history of the Nation; and
       (3) encourages all people to take advantage of educational 
     opportunities in high schools and institutions of higher 
     education to learn about Christopher Columbus' discovery of 
     the Americas and United States history.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from the 
Northern Mariana Islands (Mr. Sablan) and the gentleman from Kentucky 
(Mr. Guthrie) each will control 20 minutes.


                             General Leave

  Mr. SABLAN. Mr. Speaker, I request 5 legislative days during which 
Members may revise and extend and insert extraneous material on House 
Resolution 822 into the Record.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from the Northern Mariana Islands?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. SABLAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself as much time as I may 
consume.
  I rise today in support of House Resolution 822, which recognizes the 
important role Christopher Columbus played in the history of the United 
States. The resolution also underlines the overall importance of 
learning about our history.
  On October 12, 1492, Christopher Columbus and his 90 crew members 
arrived in the Americas aboard his famous three-ship fleet. The voyage, 
which lasted nearly 10 weeks, began in Spain and ended on the Bahamian 
island of Guanahani. Credited with discovering the new world, Columbus 
is a controversial figure whose quest to find new trade routes to Asia 
brought him to our shores.

                              {time}  1530

  Americans first celebrated Columbus Day on October 12, 1792, to 
commemorate the 300th anniversary of his landing. The first official 
Columbus Day holiday, however, was not celebrated until after the 400th 
anniversary, when President Benjamin Harrison issued a proclamation in 
1892. Today, tributes and memorial celebrations in honor of Christopher 
Columbus take place across the Nation.
  This resolution stresses the importance of understanding the 
importance of Christopher Columbus' voyage, our broader history, and a 
call for students to learn about our Nation's heritage.
  The importance of an educated and active citizenship cannot be 
overstated. Without a basic civic education, it is less likely that 
today's students will vote or engage in active citizenship as adults. 
Civic education raises awareness and responsibility in our students. 
Learning about our history is important not only for its academic 
aspects, but also for the way in which it improves our democracy.
  I want to express my support for this resolution and encourage young 
people to learn about how history affects their everyday lives. I urge 
my colleagues to support this resolution, and I thank Representative 
Thompson for bringing it to the floor.
  I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. GUTHRIE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Res. 822, expressing 
support for students to learn about Christopher Columbus. Yesterday, we 
celebrated the 517th anniversary of Christopher Columbus' voyage to the 
Americas. Columbus landed in the Americas in what is now the 
Commonwealth of the Bahamas on October 12, 1492. Christopher Columbus' 
voyage to America was an integral part in the history and founding of 
our Nation.
  Today, tributes to Christopher Columbus can be found all around the 
country. Almost every State has a city that bears the name 
``Columbus.'' There are memorials located from coast to coast. There is 
a fountain memorializing Columbus here in Washington, D.C., and a 
chapel relocated from the Columbus family castle in Spain to 
Pennsylvania, just to name a couple of examples.
  The importance of Christopher Columbus in American history and 
heritage is obvious. However, if you asked students today, many cannot 
tell you why yesterday was a holiday and for most a day off from 
school. The importance of a knowledge of history has been argued for 
centuries. Yet, according to the National Assessment of Educational 
Progress in 2006, less than half of the country's high school seniors 
have a basic knowledge of American history. For this reason, it is 
important to support this resolution and encourage students to take 
advantage of educational opportunities, in and out of school, to learn 
about Christopher Columbus and his voyage to America and the history of 
the United States.
  I would like to thank my colleague from Pennsylvania, Mr. Glenn 
Thompson, for introducing this resolution. I ask my colleagues to 
support this resolution.
  Mr. Speaker, I have no further speakers. I yield back the balance of 
my time.
  Mr. SABLAN. Mr. Speaker, again I urge my colleagues to support House 
Resolution 822. I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from the Northern Mariana Islands (Mr. Sablan) that the House 
suspend the rules and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 822.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the 
rules were suspended and the resolution was agreed to.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

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