S.Res. 729

[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 729 Agreed to Senate (ATS)]

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119th CONGRESS
2d Session
S. RES. 729

Recognizing and honoring Meriwether Lewis and William Clark, and the 
Corps of Discovery, for their expedition to explore the Louisiana 
Purchase.

_______________________________________________________________________

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

May 14, 2026

Mr. Schmitt submitted the following resolution; which was considered 
and agreed to

_______________________________________________________________________

RESOLUTION

Recognizing and honoring Meriwether Lewis and William Clark, and the 
Corps of Discovery, for their expedition to explore the Louisiana 
Purchase.

Whereas, on May 14, 1804, Captain Meriwether Lewis, Captain William Clark, and 
the Corps of Discovery departed from St. Louis, Missouri, embarking on a 
journey that would span more than 8,000 miles across the American 
continent;
Whereas May 14, 2026, marks the 222nd anniversary of the departure of the Corps 
of Discovery from the St. Louis region to explore the vast territory 
acquired through the Louisiana Purchase;
Whereas the expedition endured extreme hardship, including harsh weather, 
dangerous terrain, disease, hunger, and isolation, while displaying 
extraordinary resilience and determination;
Whereas the Corps of Discovery produced invaluable maps, scientific 
observations, and geographic records that deepened the country's 
understanding of the American frontier and laid the groundwork for 
future settlement, commerce, and development;
Whereas the expedition strengthened the sovereignty and strategic position of 
the United States in North America during a pivotal period in the early 
history of the United States;
Whereas the Lewis and Clark Expedition stands as a lasting symbol of the 
American spirit of exploration, courage, and national ambition;
Whereas generations of Americans have continued to draw inspiration from the 
perseverance and vision demonstrated by the Corps of Discovery;
Whereas, as the United States commemorates the 250th anniversary of the 
Declaration of Independence, the Lewis and Clark Expedition reminds 
Americans that the Founding generation passed to posterity not only a 
set of principles, but a country to be explored, strengthened, defended, 
and passed on; and
Whereas the 222nd anniversary of the expedition's departure provides an 
opportunity to reflect upon the character, sacrifice, faith, courage, 
and determination that helped build the United States into a great 
nation: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the Senate--
(1) honors the enduring legacy of the Lewis and Clark 
Expedition and recognizes its profound importance to the 
history, development, and identity of the United States;
(2) honors the extraordinary courage, endurance, and 
patriotism of Meriwether Lewis, William Clark, and the Corps of 
Discovery on the anniversary of the launch of their historic 
expedition from St. Louis, Missouri;
(3) recognizes the Lewis and Clark Expedition as one of the 
greatest feats of exploration and national achievement in the 
history of the United States;
(4) commemorates the vision of President Thomas Jefferson 
in commissioning the expedition following the Louisiana 
Purchase, which doubled the size of the United States and 
helped secure the continental future of the United States by 
executing the principles of ``manifest destiny'';
(5) acknowledges the indispensable contributions of every 
member of the Corps of Discovery, including the assistance 
provided by Sacagawea, York, and other members, which aided the 
expedition along its journey;
(6) recognizes that the expedition helped establish the 
geographic, commercial, and strategic foundations for the 
expansion of the United States from the Mississippi River to 
the Pacific Ocean;
(7) celebrates the enduring connection between the Lewis 
and Clark Expedition and the State of Missouri, the State from 
which the Corps of Discovery embarked into the western 
frontier;
(8) recognizes that the spirit, self-reliance, 
perseverance, faith, courage, scientific curiosity, and 
confidence in the promise of the United States displayed 
through the expeditious remains central to the character, 
heritage, and soul of the country; and
(9) encourages all Americans to study and reflect upon the 
legacy of the Lewis and Clark Expedition and its lasting 
significance in the history of the United States.
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