[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 128 (Wednesday, September 22, 2010)]
[House]
[Page H6832]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   CELEBRATING 200TH ANNIVERSARY OF JOHN JAMES AUDUBON IN HENDERSON, 
                                KENTUCKY

  Mrs. CHRISTENSEN. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree 
to the resolution (H. Res. 1508) celebrating the 200th Anniversary of 
John James Audubon in Henderson, Kentucky.
  The Clerk read the title of the resolution.
  The text of the resolution is as follows:

                              H. Res. 1508

       Whereas, John James Audubon arrived in the river town of 
     Henderson, Kentucky, in 1810 with his wife and infant son, 
     determined to make his fortune;
       Whereas, as a businessman in Henderson, he met with some 
     initial success, and in 1816 he undertook his most ambitious 
     project to date, building a steam-powered saw-and-grist mill 
     in the city on the banks of the Ohio River;
       Whereas, Audubon loved the frontier spirit in Henderson, 
     and throughout his years there, he roamed the woods, 
     observing and painting the many species of birds abundant in 
     the area;
       Whereas, Audubon ultimately lived in Henderson, Kentucky, 
     for nine years, longer than anywhere else in the United 
     States, during which time two of his four children were born;
       Whereas, he went on to publish his ornithological works in 
     the masterpiece, ``The Birds of America'';
       Whereas, present-day Henderson, Kentucky, boasts the John 
     James Audubon State Park & Museum, where Audubon's life is 
     interpreted through his art and personal memorabilia, framed 
     within a timeline of world events and paying reverence to its 
     namesake through its Nature Center, which is comprised of 
     three areas: a wildlife Observation Room; the Discovery 
     Center with hands-on exhibits; and the Learning Center, where 
     the park naturalist and art educator conduct environmental 
     and art programs;
       Whereas, Henderson's position on the Mississippi Flyway 
     migration route also offers visitors the chance to take part 
     in many of the same spectacular birdwatching opportunities 
     that Audubon enjoyed, both at the park and at the nearby 
     10,000 acre Sloughs Wildlife Management Area, a National 
     Audubon Society Important Birding Area; and
       Whereas, in celebration of the bicentennial of Audubon's 
     1810 arrival in Henderson County, the Friends of Audubon, 
     Ohio Valley Art League, and the Kentucky Department of Fish & 
     Wildlife Resources are planning a full slate of events, which 
     can be found at www.audubon2010.com.
 Resolved, That the House of Represenatives honors John 
     James Audubon for his life's contribution to nature and art 
     in Henderson, Kentucky, for 200 years and the continued 
     showcase of his life, nature, and art at the John James 
     Audubon State Park & Museum.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentlewoman from 
the Virgin Islands (Mrs. Christensen) and the gentleman from Washington 
(Mr. Hastings) each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from the Virgin Islands.


                             General Leave

  Mrs. CHRISTENSEN. I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 
legislative days in which 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 the Virgin Islands?
  There was no objection.
  Mrs. CHRISTENSEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of House Resolution 
1508, a resolution introduced by our colleague, Representative Ed 
Whitfield, to celebrate the 200th anniversary of John James Audubon's 
arrival in the town of Henderson, Kentucky.
  This community on the banks of the Ohio River in western Kentucky is 
surrounded by rolling hills and verdant woods which were the 
inspiration for many of the illustrations which are published in ``The 
Birds of America.'' This book was Audubon's seminal contribution to 
wildlife conservation and remains a valuable source of information for 
bird lovers across the United States.

                              {time}  1530

  John James Audubon was a pioneer in the history of wildlife 
conservation in the United States, and I'm pleased to support this 
resolution which acknowledges and celebrates his many achievements.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. HASTINGS of Washington. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself as much time 
as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, this resolution would celebrate the 200th anniversary of 
John James Audubon's arrival in Henderson, Kentucky. John James Audubon 
spent nearly a decade living in Henderson, Kentucky, and it is 
certainly appropriate that residents of this community would want to 
celebrate the accomplishments of one of its most famous citizens.
  I want to compliment the author of this resolution, Congressman Ed 
Whitfield, who is a classmate of mine, who worked extremely hard on 
this resolution.
  I urge support of this resolution.
  Mr. Speaker, I am very pleased to yield such time as he may consume 
to, as I mentioned, the author of this resolution, the gentleman from 
Kentucky (Mr. Whitfield).
  Mr. WHITFIELD. I want to thank Members on both sides of the aisle for 
working with us on this resolution.
  Mr. Speaker, as it has already been said, John James Audubon came to 
Henderson, Kentucky, in 1810, 200 years ago this year. He was an 
ornithologist, naturalist, and painter. He also painted and catalogued 
the birds of North America in a more precise way than any other 
naturalist in this Nation's history.
  Not only was he a tremendous painter, he also was a great 
businessman, and in 1816, he brought one of the first steam-powered 
saw-and-grist mills on the banks of the Ohio River to Kentucky.
  To commemorate John James Audubon's commitment to his community and 
wildlife, the Commonwealth of Kentucky dedicated the John James Audubon 
State Park on October 3, 1934. It is an impressive structure designed 
as a replica of a Norman-French inn to honor Audubon's French heritage. 
The museum structure has a round tower in which there is a lot of 
nesting birds, I must say. A cobbled courtyard with a French garden 
graces the immediate grounds of the museum. It also contains the 
world's largest oils and water colors of birds. And today, the park 
enjoys thousands of visitors who come and admire the work of John James 
Audubon.
  This year their bicentennial celebration has been occurring 
throughout the year, and it's going to end on October 23 in Henderson 
with a huge gala in the community celebrating the works of John James 
Audubon.
  I would urge the Members of the House to support this legislation, 
and, once again, I want to thank both sides of the aisle for working 
with us on it.
  Mr. HASTINGS of Washington. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests 
for time, and I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mrs. CHRISTENSEN. I yield back the balance of my time, Mr. Speaker.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from Kentucky (Mr. Whitfield) that the House suspend the 
rules and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 1508.
  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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