[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 58 (Thursday, April 25, 2013)]
[Senate]
[Page S3050]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  SENATE RESOLUTION 127--COMMEMORATING THE 10-YEAR ANNIVERSARY OF THE 
 LOSS OF THE STATE SYMBOL OF NEW HAMPSHIRE, THE OLD MAN OF THE MOUNTAIN

  Ms. AYOTTE (for herself and Mrs. Shaheen) submitted the following 
resolution; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary:

                              S. Res. 127

       Whereas retreating glaciers carved the White Mountains, 
     leaving behind the Old Man of the Mountain (referred to in 
     this preamble as the ``Old Man'') as a sentinel to gaze 
     across their granite majesty;
       Whereas granite ledges formed the profile of the Old Man, 
     framed by the sweeping curve of the shoulder of a mountain;
       Whereas the native son of New Hampshire and distinguished 
     Member of the Senate, Daniel Webster, wrote: ``Men hang out 
     their signs indicative of their respective trades; shoe 
     makers hang out a gigantic shoe; jewelers a monster watch, 
     and the dentist hangs out a gold tooth; but up in the 
     Mountains of New Hampshire, God Almighty has hung out a sign 
     to show that there He makes men'';
       Whereas both the proud visage and the steadfastness of the 
     Old Man embodied the character traits of independence, 
     strength, and a dedication to live free that are embedded in 
     Granite Staters;
       Whereas the home of the Old Man, New Hampshire, possesses a 
     clear sense of its place in the history of the United States 
     as--
       (1) the first State to adopt its own constitution;
       (2) the State whose ratification of the Constitution of the 
     United States helped bring forth this country; and
       (3) the State that, as host of the first presidential 
     primary in the United States, has a continuing role in each 
     election of the President;
       Whereas the Old Man was visited by sightseers from around 
     the world, who found strength and inspiration in his image;
       Whereas visits to the Old Man have inspired reverence for 
     that which is irreplaceable;
       Whereas, for 10 millennia, the Old Man survived legendary 
     winds, snow, rain, and ice;
       Whereas, on May 3, 2003, the time-worn granite ledges of 
     the visage of the Old Man released their hold on the mountain 
     and fell into history;
       Whereas the loss of the Old Man forever changed the face of 
     New Hampshire and was felt by all people of the State 
     accustomed to living under his watchful gaze;
       Whereas the Old Man, who lived in the heart of the White 
     Mountains, now lives on in the hearts of the people of New 
     Hampshire; and
       Whereas, while Granite Staters mourn the loss of their 
     granite man, they pay tribute with a long glance up at the 
     bare face of the grey mountain and a pause in remembrance of 
     the first citizen of the beloved State: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) recognizes the 10th anniversary of the loss of the Old 
     Man of the Mountain;
       (2) encourages the people of the United States to preserve 
     the legacy of the Old Man of the Mountain;
       (3) recognizes the inspiration provided by the Old Man of 
     the Mountain to generations of Granite Staters and visitors 
     to the State of New Hampshire; and
       (4) recognizes the Old Man of the Mountain as a symbol of 
     liberty, freedom, and independence.

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