H.Res. 1348

[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 1348 Introduced in House (IH)]

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119th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. RES. 1348

A resolution expressing support for the James Lick Observatory 
celebrating their 150th anniversary on June 7, 2026, and recognizing 
its contributions to science and astronomy.

_______________________________________________________________________

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

June 8, 2026

Ms. Lofgren (for herself, Mr. Liccardo, Mr. Khanna, and Mr. Panetta) 
submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee 
on Science, Space, and Technology

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RESOLUTION

A resolution expressing support for the James Lick Observatory 
celebrating their 150th anniversary on June 7, 2026, and recognizing 
its contributions to science and astronomy.

Whereas the James Lick Observatory, located on the summit of Mount Hamilton in 
Santa Clara County, California, was established in 1874 by visionary 
philanthropy of James Lick and his $700,000 contribution, valued at over 
$1,000,000,000 today, to science and exploration;
Whereas Congress authorized the reservation of Federal lands on Mount Hamilton 
for the observatory's use by an Act approved on June 7, 1876, and 
thereafter transferred those lands to the University of California;
Whereas, in 1888, the Lick Observatory was the world's first permanently staffed 
mountaintop observatory, housing the 36-inch Great Refractor, then the 
largest telescope on Earth, cementing California as an early epicenter 
of astronomical research;
Whereas Lick Observatory has been the site of monumental breakthroughs such as 
the first photographic discovery of a comet and identified a fifth moon 
of Jupiter and eclipse expedition provided the empirical confirmation of 
Einstein's general theory of relativity, and pioneered adaptive optics 
to pierce through atmospheric distortion and was at the forefront of the 
search for exoplanets, moments that fundamentally shifted our 
understanding of the physical world and the cosmos;
Whereas Lick Observatory operates under the University of California 
Observatories, which serves 9 UC campuses and 2 national laboratories, 
and partners with California's State Universities and Community 
Colleges, training the next generation of scientists while inspiring 
tens of thousands of visitors through its outreach programs; and
Whereas June 7, 2026, marks the 150th anniversary of the Act of Congress that 
made Lick Observatory possible: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
(1) congratulates Lick Observatory on the occasion of its 
150th anniversary;
(2) recognizes the enduring scientific legacy of James Lick 
and the astronomers, engineers, and staff who have sustained 
the observatory across a century and a half;
(3) commends the University of California for its 
stewardship of this national scientific treasure; and
(4) encourages continued Federal, State, and private 
support for Lick Observatory's research, education, and public 
outreach programs.
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