•HRES 1109 IH 
Whereas the willingness of Christopher Columbus to sacrifice 
the comfort of his home to pursue the unknown has in-
spired generations of daring explorers; 
Whereas through the years, Americans have followed in the 
spirit of Christopher Columbus through exploration of 
land, sea, and space; 
Whereas Christopher Columbus continues to be a symbol of 
American individualism and progress; 
Whereas Christopher Columbus has been honored and cele-
brated throughout the history of the United States; 
Whereas, on October 12, 1792, the New York society of 
Tammany, known also as the Columbian Order, cele-
brated the third centenary of the historic voyage of 
Christopher Columbus with a dinner and elaborate cere-
monies; 
Whereas the first permanent monument to Christopher Co-
lumbus in the United States was erected in 1810 in Bal-
timore by one of Lafayette’s former officers; 
Whereas in 1892, President Benjamin Harrison issued a 
Presidential proclamation on the 400th anniversary of 
Christopher Columbus’ first voyage, describing Columbus 
as the ‘‘pioneer of progress and enlightenment’’; 
Whereas President Benjamin Harrison urged citizen partici-
pation in commemorative services, and the organization 
of programs by schools; 
Whereas the Columbian Exposition in Chicago, which opened 
in 1893, was the national celebration of the 400th anni-
versary to honor Christopher Columbus; 
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•HRES 1109 IH 
Whereas the Pledge of Allegiance was written in honor of the 
400th anniversary, and the first United States commemo-
rative coins and stamps were also issued about this event; 
Whereas in 1905, the governor of Colorado issued a Colum-
bus Day proclamation and, in 1909, signed legislation— 
without opposition—making Columbus Day a State holi-
day; 
Whereas within that year, 10 more States followed in cre-
ating a State Columbus Day; 
Whereas in commemoration of the historic voyage of Chris-
topher Columbus, the Congress, by joint resolution of 
April 30, 1934, as modified in 1968 (section 107 of title 
36, United States Code), has requested the President 
proclaim the second Monday of each year as ‘‘Columbus 
Day’’; 
Whereas Presidents have called upon the people of the United 
States to observe the day with appropriate ceremonies 
and activities, including the display of the United States 
flag on all public buildings in honor of Christopher Co-
lumbus; 
Whereas by 1968, 45 States observed Columbus Day; 
Whereas Christopher Columbus had become an ethnic hero as 
well as a national hero; 
Whereas Italian Americans played a major role in turning 
Columbus Day into a full Federal holiday in 1968 (sec-
tion 6103 of title 5, United States Code); 
Whereas by commemorating the voyage of Christopher Co-
lumbus to the New World, Congress believed that the Na-
tion would be honoring the courage and determination, 
which enabled generations of immigrants from many na-
tions to find freedom and opportunity in America; 
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•HRES 1109 IH 
Whereas the history and celebration of Columbus Day in the 
United States is long and profound; 
Whereas Christopher Columbus’s discovery of the New 
World, almost 500 years ago, is ingrained in our history 
as a Nation and a people; and 
Whereas Christopher Columbus, a true hero, represents the 
spirit of discovery and independence of the United States: 
Now, therefore, be it 
Resolved, That the House of Representatives— 
(1) supports the designation of the second Mon-
day in October as ‘‘Columbus Day’’; and 
(2) urges the people of the United States to ob-
serve ‘‘Columbus Day’’ with appropriate programs 
and activities. 
Æ 
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