[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 153 (2007), Part 15]
[House]
[Pages 21313-21314]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




   RECOGNIZING VIRGINIA'S JAMES RIVER AS ``AMERICA'S FOUNDING RIVER''

  Mrs. CHRISTENSEN. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the 
Committee on Natural Resources be discharged from further consideration 
of the resolution (H. Res. 16) recognizing Virginia's James River as 
``America's Founding River,'' and ask for its immediate consideration 
in the House.
  The Clerk read the title of the resolution.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentlewoman from the Virgin Islands?

[[Page 21314]]

  There was no objection.
  The Clerk read the resolution, as follows:

                               H. Res. 16

       Whereas Virginia's James River is considered a great 
     natural asset of the United States for its historical, 
     environmental, and economic significance;
       Whereas the first permanent English settlement in America 
     was founded on the banks of the James River at Jamestown, 
     Virginia, in 1607;
       Whereas, prior to European settlement, the James River was 
     known as Powhatan River, a name associated with Chief 
     Powhatan, who was a key figure in the relationship between 
     the Native American tribes and the Jamestown settlement;
       Whereas, for thousands of years, the James River provided a 
     source of nourishment and enrichment to the Native American 
     tribes that lived along its course;
       Whereas the James River played a critical role in the 
     founding of America by sustaining the early settlers with its 
     bounty, providing valuable commodities to build the emerging 
     economy of a new colony, and serving as a strategic 
     transportation corridor that shaped the settlement and 
     commerce of the region;
       Whereas the James River is one of America's most historic 
     rivers with over 1,100 historic landmarks within its 
     watershed;
       Whereas the James River watershed is home to the first 
     colonial capital in America and to numerous founding fathers 
     and presidents, including Thomas Jefferson, Patrick Henry, 
     James Monroe, James Madison, William Henry Harrison, and John 
     Tyler;
       Whereas the James River's natural resources, scenic beauty, 
     and recreational opportunities continue to enhance the 
     quality of life of visitors and the people living along it;
       Whereas Congress passed the Chesapeake Bay Restoration Act 
     of 2000, committing the Federal Government to achieve 
     improved water quality and improvements in the productivity 
     of living resources in the James River, as a tributary to the 
     Chesapeake Bay;
       Whereas the year 2007 marks the 400th anniversary of the 
     founding of Jamestown; and
       Whereas, throughout 2006 and 2007, many events are planned 
     as part of America's 400th Anniversary, which is an 18-month 
     commemoration of the historic events that occurred on and 
     around the James River in 1607 and the enduring world-wide 
     significance of those historic events: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved,  That the House of Representatives--
       (1) recognizes Virginia's James River as ``America's 
     Founding River'';
       (2) recognizes the extraordinary historic, economic, 
     recreational, and environmental importance of the James 
     River;
       (3) encourages the people of the United States to observe 
     and celebrate the James River's contribution to our Nation's 
     history with appropriate ceremonies and activities during 
     America's 400th Anniversary; and
       (4) recommits itself to protecting and restoring the James 
     River for the enjoyment and prosperity of current and future 
     generations.

  Mrs. CHRISTENSEN. Mr. Speaker, H. Res. 16 would grant the recognition 
of the House to Virginia's James River as ``America's Founding River.''
  The resolution was introduced by our colleague, Representative Jo Ann 
Davis of Virginia.
  The James River rises in the Allegheny Mountains and flows to the 
Chesapeake Bay. It is one of the longest rivers in our country to lie 
in a single state.
  Mr. Speaker, Native Americans gave the name of their great chief 
Powhatan to the river that nourished the tribes along its banks.
  In 1607, when English colonists established their first permanent 
settlement in America, they named the river--and their new town--after 
King James the First.
  The James River sustained those early settlers, supported the growth 
of the first colonial capital in American, and provided a route for the 
first westwardbound pioneers.
  The land along the James was home to many of our founding fathers and 
presidents, and great mansions still grace its shores.
  Mr. Speaker, H. Res. 16 would grant the recognition of the House to 
the historic, economic, recreational and environmental importance of 
the James River and encourages the people of the U.S. to celebrate the 
contributions of the river to our Nation's history as part of the 
ceremonies and activities during Jamestown's 400th anniversary.
  The resolution also reminds us of our commitment in 2000, as part of 
the Chesapeake Bay Restoration Act, to improving water quality in the 
bay's tributaries, including the James, and calls on us to recommit 
ourselves to protecting and restoring that great river.
  Mr. Speaker, we have no objection to H. Res. 16, and urge its 
passage.
  The resolution was agreed to.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

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