**TESTIMONY OF MARYLAND STATE SENATOR JENNIE FOREHAND**

**Committee on Energy and Natural Resources**

**Subcommittee on National Parks**

**United States Senate**

**Concerning**

**S.1991:** The Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail Extension Study
Act of 2007 -- A bill to authorize the secretary of Interior to conduct
a study to determine the suitability and feasibility of extending the
Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail to include additional sites
associated with the preparation and return phases of the expedition, and
for other purposes.

**Maryland State Senator Jennie Forehand**

**712 Smallwood Road**

**Rockville, Maryland  20850**

**301-762-4772**

**jennie.forehand.district@senate.state.md.us**

**(Senate Chair, Maryland Joint Committee on Federal Relations)**

**November 8, 2007**

               

Mr. Chairman and members of the Committee, I want to thank you for the
opportunity to be here today to discuss S.1991, the Lewis and Clark
National Historical Trail Extension Study Act of 2007.

Most people who are knowledgeable and interested in American history
should know that the Lewis and Clark Corps of Discovery didn't just
miraculously appear at the Wood River Camp on the Mississippi (near
present-day Hartford, Illinois) and launch itself westward on 14 May
1804.

While the most well known part of their journey was conducted west of
the Mississippi, the duo and their party significantly interacted with
many towns and populations east of the Mississippi, often referred to as
"Eastern Legacy Sites."  This eastern portion of their travels deserves
much the same recognition that has been afforded to their western
segment.

Back east President Jefferson and others had been thinking about such a
journey for years.  Some feel that the Expedition truly started in
Jefferson's mind at Monticello in Virginia.  From there, the President
sent Meriwether Lewis, his friend and aide, scurrying around the East
gathering supplies, contracting for the keelboat, increasing his land
navigation/mapping abilities, recruiting expedition members, and
learning how to deal with medical emergencies.  While doing this, Lewis
traveled through Virginia, Maryland, West Virginia, Pennsylvania, Ohio,
Indiana, Kentucky, and Illinois.

All of these eastern sites have a direct relation to the famous
expedition.  And for too long they have not received adequate, official
recognition for their role in the planning, supplying, and training that
was necessary for the L&C journey to be a success.  

My husband and I have traveled to all the major areas associated with
the journey. Out west, the L&C route is well marked along the high-ways,
with special National Park Service (NPS) signs. And, there are wonderful
interpretive centers at L&C sites, such as St. Louis (MO), Chamberlain
and Calumet Bluff (SD), Fort Mandan (ND), Great Falls (MT), Pasco and
Kennewick (WA), and Fort Clatsop (OR). Throughout our trips, we were
impressed with the enthusiasm and pride exhibited by the local people
and agencies involved in developing these centers. One can see how much
these citizens learned and appreciated the part their regions
contributed to American history.  These centers plus many more tell only
a part of the L&C story, including the significant role that American
Indians had in its success.

Our travels also included the special events and re-enactments in
Charlottesville, Harpers Ferry, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Louisville,
Evansville (Indiana), and other eastern cities during the recent L&C
Bicentennial Celebration.  Last spring we participated in unveiling an
historical marker (near Frederick, Maryland) in memory of John Collins,
a permanent member of the Corps of Discovery from Maryland. So you can
see that the eastern states also merit more official NPS recognition as
a part of the L&C National Historic Trail. 

Now the Senate Subcommittee on National Parks has an opportunity to
correct this oversight through its support of S-1991.   The passage of
this legislation will allow the NPS to authorize a study to address the
feasibility and suitability of establishing a National Trail
incorporating the Lewis & Clark Eastern Legacy Sites.  This is the first
step in determining whether to create an extension of the current LCNHT
that would follow Lewis and Clark's travels both jointly and separately
in relation to the initial phase of the expedition, as well as their
return segment. 

The cost of the feasibility study authorized by S-1991 should be minimal
because primary documentation is available and will be provided to the
NPS by the Lewis & Clark Trail Heritage Foundation, Great Falls,
Montana.  This can be supplemented from federal and state archives and
museums, including the vast and excellent documentation gathered by the
NPS for the Bicentennial Celebration.  And the "eastern extension" of
the LCNHT need not be a financial burden on the NPS, because the eastern
states should be able to cover the costs of various markers at the
appropriate L&C sites in their areas. 

Thank you for your time and consideration of this legislation.  I would
be delighted to answer any questions. In the words of Lewis & Clark:

        "Let's proceed on" to include the "eastern legacy" of Lewis &
Clark's journey!