IV 

110TH CONGRESS 

1ST SESSION H. RES. 16 

Recognizing Virginia’s James River as ‘‘America’s Founding River’’. 

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 

JANUARY 4, 2007 

Mrs. JO ANN DAVIS of Virginia submitted the following resolution; which was 

referred to the Committee on Natural Resources 

RESOLUTION 

Recognizing Virginia’s James River as ‘‘America’s Founding 

River’’. 

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; 


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•HRES 16 IH 

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 


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and the enduring world-wide significance of those historic 

events: Now, therefore, be it 

1 Resolved, That the House of Representatives— 

2 (1) recognizes Virginia’s James River as 

3 ‘‘America’s Founding River’’; 

4 (2) recognizes the extraordinary historic, eco5 nomic, recreational, and environmental importance 

6 of the James River; 

7 (3) encourages the people of the United States 

8 to observe and celebrate the James River’s contribu9 tion to our Nation’s history with appropriate cere10 monies and activities during America’s 400th Anni11 versary; and 

12 (4) recommits itself to protecting and restoring 

13 the James River for the enjoyment and prosperity of 

14 current and future generations. 

Æ 


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