[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 157 (2011), Part 1]
[Senate]
[Page 1012]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




 SENATE RESOLUTION 33--EXPRESSING THE SENSE OF THE SENATE RELATING TO 
 THE 150TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE ADMITTANCE OF THE STATE OF KANSAS TO THE 
                    UNITED STATES AS THE 34TH STATE

  Mr. MORAN (for himself and Mr. Roberts) submitted the following 
resolution; which was considered and agreed to:

                               S. Res. 33

       Whereas January 29, 2011, marks the 150th anniversary of 
     the admittance to the State of Kansas to the United States as 
     the 34th State;
       Whereas the sesquicentennial of the statehood of the State 
     of Kansas is cause for celebration and reflection;
       Whereas the name Kansas is derived from the Kansa Indians 
     who, among many other Indian tribes, have inhabited the 
     plains of the United States for centuries;
       Whereas Kansas received official recognition as a territory 
     in 1854;
       Whereas the territorial years of Kansas, commonly known as 
     ``Bleeding Kansas'', were marked by violence and bloodshed 
     over whether Kansas would join the United States as a State 
     that permitted slavery;
       Whereas the territorial population of Kansas was committed 
     to the ideals of personal freedom and individual liberty, 
     which led to armed conflict with neighboring regions;
       Whereas the battle between pro-freedom and pro-slavery 
     interests over the future of Kansas were fought politically 
     and violently in both Kansas and Washington, District of 
     Columbia;
       Whereas Kansas was admitted to the United States as a free 
     State on January 29, 1861, under President James Buchanan 
     following a debate that served as a factor in the outbreak of 
     the Civil War;
       Whereas the legislature of the State of Kansas convened for 
     the first time in March 1861, only a month prior to the 
     commencement of the Civil War with the firing on Fort Sumter 
     in the State of South Carolina in April 1861;
       Whereas two-thirds of the able-bodied males in the State of 
     Kansas served in the Union Army over the course of the Civil 
     War;
       Whereas the State of Kansas was born in the midst of blood 
     and battle, has established itself as a national leader in 
     agriculture and aviation, and is a key contributor to the 
     culture of the United States;
       Whereas Kansas agricultural producers produce food, fuel, 
     and fiber that is used throughout the United States and 
     exported across the globe;
       Whereas Kansas aircraft manufacturers have led the world in 
     producing quality aircraft since the early days of aviation;
       Whereas throughout the State and across generations, the 
     people of the State of Kansas employ a work ethic and sense 
     of duty befitting the American Dream, none better exemplify 
     this than President Dwight D. Eisenhower, the boy who rose 
     from humble beginnings to lead as Supreme Allied Commander in 
     World War II and later serve as the 34th President of the 
     United States;
       Whereas from the days of the ``Bleeding Kansas'' border 
     wars through the current deployments in the Middle East, 
     patriotic people of the State of Kansas have answered the 
     call of duty to fight for the United States and the cause of 
     liberty, including Senator Bob Dole who was wounded as a 
     young infantry officer in World War II and later served as 
     Senate Majority Leader and the Republican Nominee for 
     President of the United States in 1996;
       Whereas the State of Kansas continues its proud military 
     tradition by supporting troops and their families in the 
     National Guard in towns across the State and at Fort Riley, 
     McConnell Air Force Base, and the Army Staff and Command 
     College in Leavenworth; and
       Whereas the motto of the State of Kansas, ``Ad Astra per 
     Aspera,'' which means ``To the Stars through Difficulty,'' 
     pays respect to the turbulent past of the State of Kansas, 
     while remaining hopeful about the future: Now, therefore, be 
     it
       Resolved, That--
       (1) it is the sense of the Senate that--
       (A) the people of the United States should observe and 
     celebrate the 150th anniversary of the admittance of the 
     State of Kansas to the United States as the 34th State;
       (B) the people of the State of Kansas should--
       (i) be honored for their pioneering spirit and innovations; 
     and
       (ii) reflect on the distinguished past of the State and 
     look forward to a promising future; and
       (C) there is no place like home; and
       (2) the Senate respectfully requests the Secretary of the 
     Senate to transmit to the Governor of the State of Kansas an 
     enrolled copy of this resolution for appropriate display.

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