HR1024 99TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR1024 LRB099 20653 MST 45258 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail, extending from Wood River, Illinois to the mouth of the Columbia River in Oregon and Washington, was established by the United States Congress in 1978; and

WHEREAS, The Consolidated Natural Resources Act of 2008 directed the National Park Service to conduct a Special Resources Study to assess the suitability and feasibility of extending the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail by including the Eastern Legacy sites, the historic routes and sites in the East that were vital to the preparation and planning of the Lewis and Clark "Corps of Discovery" expedition; and

WHEREAS, Extending the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail eastward fulfills the objectives of the National Trails System, established in 1968 to provide for the ever-increasing outdoor recreation needs of an expanding population and to promote the preservation of, public access to, travel within, and enjoyment and appreciation of open-air, outdoor areas, and historic resources of the nation; and

WHEREAS, William Clark, co-commander of the "Corps of Discovery" expedition, along with 10 other members of the expedition, were Kentuckians who were involved in every pivotal event during the "Corps of Discovery" expedition; and

WHEREAS, Meriwether Lewis, William Clark, other members of the expedition, and tribal people under their care traveled through Kentucky after exploring the West; and

WHEREAS, Kentucky newspapers were the first newspapers in the country to publish reports of the success of the "Corps of Discovery" expedition as well as the first reports of the death of Governor Meriwether Lewis; and

WHEREAS, Tourism is a major component of Kentucky's economy and the addition of 52 counties in Kentucky to the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail would greatly benefit the tourism industry and the overall economy of the Commonwealth; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-NINTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we urge the National Park Service to include the Eastern Legacy Sites, which include 52 Kentucky counties, in the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to National Park Service Director, Jon Jarvis.