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U.S.
Senator Member of the Agriculture, Energy and Veterans Affairs
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For Immediate
Release November 16, 2005 |
CONTACT: Cody Wertz – Press Secretary 202-228-3630 Jen Clanahan – Deputy Press Secretary 303-455-7600 |
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| Sen. Salazar Successfully Honors Zebulon Pike in Senate Washington, DC – By Unanimous Consent the Senate agreed yesterday to honor Zebulon Pike for his explorations and contributions. United States Senator Ken Salazar introduced the resolution in September to mark the anniversary of Pike’s explorations and ensure that Zebulon Pike’s place in history is formally recognized. “Zebulon Pike served this country in many ways and his exploration was an important milestone in Colorado’s history in particular,” said Senator Salazar. “It is therefore appropriate that we honor him in this way.” The year 2006 will mark the 200th anniversary of Pike’s explorations into the interior west. An American soldier and explorer in the early 19th century, Zebulon Pike led the Pike Expedition to explore the western and southern areas of the Louisiana Purchase. His expedition was the first American attempt to explore the Rocky Mountains in Colorado and the western Great Plains. The Resolution encourages the American people to commemorate the contributions Pike made to this nation and its history. Senator Salazar’s resolution, which is co-sponsored by Senator Wayne Allard, is included below. S.RES.
252 RESOLUTION Recognizing the Bicentennial Anniversary of Zebulon Montgomery Pike’s explorations in the interior west of the United States. Whereas Zebulon Montgomery Pike was born January 5, 1779, in Lamberton, New Jersey, to a military family, which quickly was on the move across the Nation with Pike growing up on frontier military posts; Whereas Zebulon Montgomery Pike served the United States with distinction, initially as a commissioned First Lieutenant in the First Infantry Regiment of the United States Army, later as a Captain, further as a Colonel of the 15th Regiment during the War of 1812, and ultimately as a Brigadier General in 1813; Whereas in July of 1806, Zebulon Montgomery Pike was given the assignment of leading an expedition west from present-day St. Louis, Missouri, up the Arkansas River to its source in the highest of the Rocky Mountains, then into Colorado’s San Luis Valley; Whereas Zebulon Montgomery Pike and his expedition traveled through the present day states of Missouri, Nebraska, Kansas, and Colorado observing the geography, natural history, and population of the country through which he passed; Whereas Zebulon Montgomery Pike and his expedition reached the site of present day Pueblo, Colorado on November 23, 1806, and, fascinated with a blue peak in the Rocky Mountains to the west, Pike set out to explore the mountain; Whereas Zebulon Montgomery Pike was prevented from completing the ascent due to waist-deep snow, inadequate clothing, and sub-zero temperatures, and so chose to turn back for the safety of his expedition; Whereas Zebulon Montgomery Pike never set foot on “Pike’s Peak” but did contribute significantly to the interior west’s early exploration through the headwaters of the Arkansas River; Whereas Zebulon Montgomery Pike and his expedition found the area of present day Great Sand Dunes National Park in Colorado and the headwaters of the Rio Grande, which he mistakenly thought was the Red River; and Whereas on April 27,1813, Zebulon Montgomery Pike died in valiant service to his country, leading an attack on York, later to become Toronto, during the War of 1812: Now, therefore, be it Resolved, That the Senate – (1) recognizes the year 2006 as the 200th anniversary of Zebulon Montgomery Pike’s discoveries throughout the American West; and (2) encourages the people of the United States to observe and celebrate his contributions to our Nation’s history with appropriate ceremonies and activities throughout the year. # # # |
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