[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 24 (Tuesday, February 14, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E186]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             RESOLUTION CELEBRATING THE ARIZONA CENTENNIAL

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. DAVID SCHWEIKERT

                               of arizona

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, February 14, 2012

  Mr. SCHWEIKERT. Mr. Speaker, I will introduce this week the following 
resolution to recognize Arizona on her Centennial birthday.
  For almost 50 years, Arizona has been my home, and today I could not 
be more excited to celebrate her 100th birthday.
  While Arizonans celebrate her Centennial, we also remember the 
pioneers who went before us to settle our beautiful state, and those 
since who have made her the Masterpiece of the West.
  Our state motto is ``Ditat Deus,'' or ``God Enriches.'' The truth of 
that phrase can never be clearer each time I travel across our painted 
deserts, peaks, valleys, and canyons or see a red sunset.
  It is not only the beauty of our landscape, but the character of our 
people that make Arizona a great place to live and raise our families.
  Here's to another 100 years for our Grand Canyon State.

                               Resolution


                   Celebrating the Arizona centennial

       Whereas on February 14, 1912, after nearly 49 years as a 
     United States territory and thousands of years as a sacred 
     home to indigenous peoples, Arizona became the 48th State and 
     the last of the contiguous states to enter the Union of the 
     United States;
       Whereas in 2008, in order to commemorate its centennial and 
     to properly celebrate the history of its people, the Arizona 
     Centennial Commission was established to develop a 
     comprehensive plan to specially mark such an auspicous 
     occasion;
       Whereas Arizona has been home to some of the most 
     influential citizens in United States history including Barry 
     Goldwater, William Rehnquist, Carl Hayden, Mo Udall, Sandra 
     Day O'Connor, and Pat Tillman;
       Whereas after being explored by Europeans in the 1500s, 
     first by Spanish Franciscan Marcos de Niza and later by the 
     Spanish explorer Coronado, Arizona is now known around the 
     world as the Grand Canyon State for its breathtaking natural 
     formations and unique beauty;
       Whereas Arizona, among all the States, has the largest 
     percentage of its land set aside and designated as Indian 
     lands;
       Whereas Arizona is the home of the Salt River Pima, Gila 
     River, Fort McDowell, Pasena Yaqui, and many other indigenous 
     communities;
       Whereas Arizona is home to Oraibi, the oldest Indian 
     settlement in the United States, which was founded by the 
     Hopi Indian Tribe;
       Whereas the Navajo Code talkers helped safeguard United 
     States mlitary secrets during the Second World War;
       Whereas in 2001, the Arizona Diamondbacks defeated the New 
     York Yankees 4 games to 3 in the World Series, becoming the 
     youngest expansion franchise to win the World Series;
       Whereas Arizona's State flag consists of 13 rays of red and 
     yellow to symbolize its picturesque sunsets and the 13 
     original colonies, a copper star to represent the copper 
     mining industry, and a blue background to represent liberty;
       Whereas Arizona's centennial engenders a sense of unity and 
     pride in the diverse nature of Arizona's people, and reminds 
     Arizonans of the need to leave a lasting legacy for 
     generations to come; and
       Whereas the sun shines in Arizona more than 85 percent of 
     the time: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the House of Representatives honors and 
     commends the State of Arizona and its people on Arizona's 
     centennial.

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