- Record: Senate Floor
- Section type: Floor speeches
- Chamber: Senate
- Date: May 14, 2026
- Congress: 119th Congress
- Why this source matters: This section came from the Senate floor portion of the record.
SUBMITTED RESOLUTIONS
SENATE RESOLUTION 729—RECOGNIZING AND HONORING MERIWETHER LEWIS AND
WILLIAM CLARK, AND THE CORPS OF DISCOVERY, FOR THEIR EXPEDITION TO
EXPLORE THE LOUISIANA PURCHASE
Mr. SCHMITT submitted the following resolution; which was considered and agreed to:
S. Res. 729
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.