[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 147 (2001), Part 11]
[Senate]
[Pages 15348-15349]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




              THE 125TH ANNIVERSARY OF COLORADO STATEHOOD

  Mr. CAMPBELL. Madam President, 125 years ago today, on August 1, 
1876, President Ulysses S. Grant issued a proclamation declaring 
Colorado a state. Today, I want to honor that anniversary by 
highlighting some thoughts about Colorado--the beauty of its landscape, 
the pioneering spirit of its people, and the engines that fuel its 
prosperity.
  My home State of Colorado is a very special place. We have a rich and 
colorful history. We are blessed by geography and climate. We are 
culturally diverse, highly educated and highly motivated.
  The movement to settle Colorado began in the late 1850's when 
prospectors found gold along Cherry Creek near Denver. Gold hunters 
rushed into the area and ``Pikes Peak or Bust'' became the slogan of 
the day. The gold didn't last, but the potential for prosperity and an 
unmatched quality of life did.
  It was not until about 20 years later, however, that Colorado, after 
several failed attempts, became a state. A new mining boom brought 
wealth and growth to Colorado again. This time it was silver, not gold, 
that caused the growth.
  In the 125 years since, Colorado has been marked by a series of 
economic booms and busts. Right now, we have one of the most 
diversified economies in the Nation. Colorado has grown from a 
primarily agricultural and mining State to a hub of technological and 
industrial development for the Nation. An increasing number of high-
tech companies are choosing to locate in Colorado; the communications 
industry is revolutionizing how we stay in touch with one another; and 
Colorado's mild dry climate and colorful Old West history have made 
tourism the second largest industry in the State.

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  Colorado is one of the Nation's major outdoor recreation areas. Few 
States offer as many sporting opportunities. We fish and camp along 
pristine rivers and lakes. River-running and white-water rafting are 
important summer activities. And we in Colorado enjoy some of the best 
skiing in the world. We bike, we hike, and we run--and we use one of 
the most extensive urban bikeways and trail systems in the Nation. One 
of the top 10k races in the United States--the Bolder Boulder--draws 
record crowds of world-class runners and area residents. And, the 
14,000 foot peaks in Colorado, all 54 of them, bring mountain climbers 
of all ages and skills to our State.
  And, we in Colorado don't just participate in sports--we also play 
the part of spectator. Our capital city of Denver is the home of five 
major professional sports teams--baseball, football, basketball, soccer 
and hockey--making it a major-league sports town.
  Colorado's vibrant cultural scene rivals that of any in the world. We 
have a variety of theatrical, musical and other cultural attractions. 
Colorado is the home of the Aspen Institute, the Aspen Music Festival 
and the Central City Opera. Denver has three nationally known theaters 
and the State boasts a comprehensive network of public libraries, 
museums, community theaters and orchestras. Most towns and cities have 
local festivals to celebrate unique cultural traditions.
  The cultural diversity of our population gives Colorado many of its 
greatest traditions and treasures. Colorado is home to two Native 
American tribes, the Southern Ute and the Ute Mountain Ute tribes. The 
land they inhabit covers the southwestern corner of Colorado, abutting 
the borders with Utah, Arizona and New Mexico.
  Some of our earliest settlers came to Colorado from Mexico and 
settled in the San Luis Valley. In fact, the town of San Luis in that 
valley is Colorado's oldest town, which just recently celebrated its 
150th anniversary. The name of our State, Colorado, came from a Spanish 
word for red, and our conversation is laced with Spanish words.
  The traditions, artwork and music of these and many other cultures 
are a treasured part of Colorado's identity, and we respect and honor 
the gifts they give us.
  Colorado is known for its strong military presence. It is home to the 
United States Air Force Academy where the soaring structure of the 
Academy's cathedral with Pikes Peak in the background dominates the 
landscape. Peterson Air Force Base--home to the U.S. Space Command, Air 
Force Space Command and the Army Space Command--strengthens the 
military presence in our state. And, the North American Aerospace 
Defense Command (NORAD) with its command center located deep inside 
Cheyenne Mountain adds to Colorado's reputation as recently described 
by a high-ranking Air Force General as America's ``space mecca.''
  While our ski industry, our world class airport, our sports teams, 
and our technology industry bring travelers from all over the world to 
our State, Colorado broke into the international scene in a new way 
when Denver was chosen as the site of the G-8 summit of world leaders 
in 1997.
  Throughout the 125 years since Colorado became a State, its citizens 
have had a common goal: to make the state a stronger, more vibrant 
place. From the snow capped peaks of the Continental Divide to the 
farms and ranches on the Front Range and the Western Slope, the 
citizens of my home state have worked together to make Colorado a great 
place to call home.
  I want to thank you for allowing me to celebrate Colorado's 125th 
anniversary of statehood by recognizing just a few of the things that 
make it such a great place to live.
  To close, I ask my colleagues to join me in a Mile High salute to the 
citizens of Colorado on the 125th anniversary of their great State.
  I ask unanimous consent that a copy of President Grant's proclamation 
declaring Colorado a State be printed in the Record.
  There being no objection, the material was ordered to be printed in 
the Record, as follows:

    A Proclamation by the President of the United States of America

       Whereas the Congress of the United States do, by an Act 
     approved on the third day of March, one thousand eight 
     hundred and seventy-five authorize the inhabitants of the 
     Territory of Colorado to form for themselves out of said 
     Territory State Government with the name of the State of 
     Colorado, and for the admission of such State into the Union, 
     on an equal footing with the original States upon certain 
     conditions in said Act specified,
       And whereas it was provided by said Act of Congress that 
     the Convention elected by the people of said Territory to 
     frame a State Constitution received by me,
       Now, Therefore, I, Ulysses S. Grant, President of the 
     United States of America, do, in accordance with the 
     provisions of the Act of Congress aforesaid, declare and 
     proclaim the fact that the fundamental conditions imposed by 
     Congress on the State of Colorado to entitle that State to 
     admission to the Union have been ratified and accepted and 
     that the admission of the said State into the Union is now 
     complete.
       In testimony whereof I have here unto set my hand and have 
     caused the seal of the United States to be affixed.
       Done at the city of Washington this first day of August, in 
     the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and seventy 
     six, and of the Independence of the United States of America 
     the one hundred and first.
           By the President,
     Ulysses S. Grant.

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