[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 123 (Thursday, September 13, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1517]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              200TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE DEATH OF SACAGAWEA

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                          HON. KRISTIL L. NOEM

                            of south dakota

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 13, 2012

  Mrs. NOEM. Mr. Speaker, I wish to speak today to commemorate the 
200th anniversary of the reported death of Sacagawea, and to celebrate 
the contributions she made to our country's development. She was only 
around 25 years old at the time of her death, but she accomplished much 
in her short life.
  Sacagawea is remembered for guiding Captains Meriwether Lewis and 
William Clark, who were leading the Corps of North Western Discovery 
Expedition commissioned by President Thomas Jefferson in the early 
1800s. This journey took them from Missouri to the far reaches of the 
Pacific Northwest, and back again.
  Sacagawea was born around 1788 and was the daughter of a Shoshone 
chief. She was later kidnapped by an enemy of her tribe and married by 
the time she was only thirteen to a French-Canadian fur trapper. In 
1804, she was commissioned by Lewis and Clark with her husband to serve 
as interpreters and joined the expedition with her newborn baby during 
the years 1804-1806. They led the expedition westward thousands of 
miles along the Missouri River and helped Lewis and Clark reach the 
Pacific Ocean before returning east.
  Unfortunately, her life story came to an abrupt end when Sacagawea 
was reported to have died on December 20, 1812 near present day Kenel, 
South Dakota. Despite her untimely death, her contributions to our 
nation and rich cultural heritage continue to live on to this day. We 
commemorate her life on this year that marks the bicentennial 
anniversary of her reported death.
  In the following weeks, Encounters of the Prairie, the South Dakota 
Chapter of the Lewis and Clark Trail Heritage Foundation, will meet in 
order to commemorate the anniversary of the reported death of 
Sacagawea. I admire her unique and inspiring heritage and her role in 
the history of this country. Sacagawea walked thousands of miles 
carrying her infant on her back, all the while using her skills as a 
guide and as an interpreter. After 200 years, Sacagawea is remembered 
for her abilities, perseverance, and impacts on this country and will 
continue to inspire us all.

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