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[Congressional Bills 115th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Con. Res. 32 Introduced in House (IH)]

<DOC>

115th CONGRESS
  1st Session
H. CON. RES. 32

 Congratulating the State of Nebraska on the 150th anniversary of the 
            admission of that State into the United States.

_______________________________________________________________________

                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                             March 1, 2017

  Mr. Fortenberry (for himself, Mr. Smith of Nebraska, and Mr. Bacon) 
 submitted the following concurrent resolution; which was referred to 
            the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform

_______________________________________________________________________

                         CONCURRENT RESOLUTION

 
 Congratulating the State of Nebraska on the 150th anniversary of the 
            admission of that State into the United States.

Whereas the name ``Nebraska'' is derived from a Native American Siouan word that 
        means ``flat water'' and is inspired by the Platte River;
Whereas early explorers of the Great Plains called the Nebraska region the 
        ``Great American Desert'', mistakenly believing that its vast prairies 
        were incapable of supporting agriculture;
Whereas the Platte River Valley provided an ideal corridor for settlers 
        traveling westward along the Oregon, Mormon, and California Trails;
Whereas the Act entitled ``An Act to secure Homesteads to actual Settlers on the 
        Public Domain'', approved May 20, 1862, encouraged enterprising 
        individuals to consider settling in the Nebraska Territory;
Whereas Nebraska was--

    (1) the first State admitted to the United States after the conclusion 
of the Civil War; and

    (2) the only State the admittance of which the President vetoed because 
of disagreement with the ``fundamental condition'' imposed by Congress with 
respect to giving Black men the right to vote;

Whereas, by means of the Act entitled ``An Act for the Admission of the State of 
        Nebraska into the Union'', approved February 9, 1867, Congress overrode 
        the veto of President Andrew Johnson, opening the way for the admission 
        of Nebraska into the United States on March 1, 1867;
Whereas the admission of Nebraska into the United States led to the further 
        settlement of Nebraska and the construction of the transcontinental 
        railroad westward from the Omaha terminus;
Whereas, in 1879, a Federal district court in Nebraska was the site where 
        American Indians were first recognized as persons under the laws of the 
        United States after Standing Bear pleaded, ``I am a man'';
Whereas Nebraska is leading the way for a new innovation frontier where 
        entrepreneurs are engaged in building the economy of the future by 
        establishing and growing great businesses;
Whereas Nebraska is the only State whose residents, desiring greater government 
        accountability, voted to transition the State legislature from a 
        bicameral system to a unicameral system, thereby reducing the size of 
        the legislature by nearly 70 percent;
Whereas Nebraska is the home of such national food sensations as Kool-Aid, the 
        reuben, and Runzas;
Whereas Nebraska leads the United States in--

    (1) beef and veal exports;

    (2) commercial red meat production;

    (3) commercial cattle slaughter;

    (4) Great Northern bean production;

    (5) popcorn production; and

    (6) the number of irrigated acres of cropland;

Whereas Nebraska continues to lead the United States in center-pivot irrigation 
        technology, as Nebraska is home to the 4 largest irrigation companies in 
        the United States;
Whereas, in 1986, Nebraska was the first State in which women were the 2 major 
        party candidates for governor when Kay Orr, a Republican, defeated Helen 
        Boosalis, a Democrat;
Whereas Nebraska has played and continues to play a significant and remarkable 
        role in the civic, economic, educational, and cultural life of the 
        United States;
Whereas Nebraskans have a long history of dedicated service to our country's 
        military, serving in the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, Coast 
        Guard, and the Nebraska National Guard;
Whereas the highest ranking military officer in United States history, second 
        only to General Washington, General of the Armies, John J. Pershing, 
        served as the Commandant of Cadets at the University of Nebraska where 
        he formed the national organization, the Pershing Rifles;
Whereas, from 1946 to 1992, the men and women of Strategic Air Command, 
        headquartered in Nebraska, countered the nuclear threat of the Soviet 
        Union, while holding true to their motto ``peace is our profession'';
Whereas Nebraska is home to the United States Strategic Command, a joint 
        military and civilian team delivering integrated multidomain combat 
        effects that protect America and span the globe;
Whereas, on March 1, 2017, Nebraska marks the 150th anniversary of the admission 
        of that State into the United States; and
Whereas the sesquicentennial celebration of statehood offers a special 
        opportunity for the people of Nebraska to reflect, remember, celebrate, 
        and plan for an even brighter future that embodies the State motto of 
        Nebraska, ``Equality Before the Law'': Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate concurring), 
That Congress congratulates the State of Nebraska on the 150th 
anniversary of the admission of that State into the United States.
                                 <all>
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