IV 

113TH CONGRESS 

1ST SESSION H. RES. 207 

Recognizing the 50th anniversary of the first ascent of Mt. Everest by 

United States citizens. 

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 

MAY 8, 2013 

Mr. KILMER (for himself, Mr. HECK of Washington, Mr. LARSEN of Washington, Ms. DELBENE, Mr. MCDERMOTT, Mr. REICHERT, and Mr. 

SMITH of Washington) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform 

RESOLUTION 

Recognizing the 50th anniversary of the first ascent of Mt. 

Everest by United States citizens. 

Whereas James W. Whittaker stood on top of Mt. Everest at 

1:00 p.m. on May 1, 1963, with Sherpa Nawang Gombu, 

and planted the American flag for the first time on the 

highest point of earth; 

Whereas Mr. Whittaker was a part of a team led by Swiss 

Mountaineer Norman Dyhrenfurth, that consisted of 19 

United States mountaineers, scientists, writers, and photographers, who were assisted by dozens of Sherpas and 

hundreds of porters, became the first United States team 

to reach the peak of Mt. Everest; 


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•HRES 207 IH 

Whereas Mr. Whittaker and the team stood as heroes and inspired the country during a time when the Nation was 

consumed with the ongoing struggles of the Cold War, 

the Cuban Missile Crisis, high unemployment, and the 

looming war in Vietnam; 

Whereas upon returning, the team was recognized at a reception in the White House Rose Garden, where President 

John F. Kennedy presented each with the Hubbard 

Medal of the National Geographic Society; 

Whereas Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., has called Mr. Whittaker’s 

story ‘‘a riveting saga of high adventure by one of history’s greatest climbers’’; 

Whereas Mr. Whittaker was the first full-time employee of 

one of the country’s largest outdoor retailers, Recreational Equipment, Inc., and went on to retire as its 

President and Chief Executive Officer after 25 years with 

the company; 

Whereas throughout his life, Mr. Whittaker has lived his life 

to the fullest, leading numerous, high-profile climbing expeditions, including the first ascent of Mt. Kennedy, 

which was completed with Senator Robert F. Kennedy in 

the Canadian Yukon in 1965; 

Whereas Mr. Whittaker also led the first ascent by a United 

States citizen of K2 in 1978, and the successful Mt. Everest International Peace Climb in 1990; and 

Whereas Mr. Whittaker is the author of the best-selling, 

award-winning memoir, ‘‘A Life on the Edge: Memoirs of 

Everest and Beyond’’ and has shared his story in person 

as a motivational speaker: Now, therefore, be it 

1 Resolved, That the House of Representatives— 


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1 (1) congratulates James W. Whittaker and his 

2 fellow climbers on the 50th anniversary of the first 

3 ascent of Mt. Everest by United States citizens; 

4 (2) honors Mr. Whittaker for his leadership in 

5 the outdoor recreation community; and 

6 (3) recognizes the extraordinary feat Mr. Whit7 taker accomplished 50 years ago and how his story 

8 has inspired countless people in the Northwest and 

9 beyond. 

Æ 


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