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U.S.
Senator Member of the Agriculture, Energy and Veterans Affairs
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For Immediate
Release September 27, 2005 |
CONTACT: Cody Wertz – Press Secretary 202-228-3630 Jen Clanahan – Deputy Press Secretary 303-455-7600 |
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| Sen. Salazar Honors Zebulon Pike’s Contribution to Colorado WASHINGTON, D.C. – In honor of Zebulon Montgomery Pike’s explorations into the West, including Colorado, United States Senator Ken Salazar drafted a Senate Resolution to recognize the Bicentennial Anniversary of this influential explorer. “When people think of Colorado, they think of Pikes Peak,” said Senator Salazar. “It is only fitting that as we near the 200th anniversary of his explorations we honor Zebulon Pike’s contributions to the great state of Colorado and this nation.” The year 2006 will mark the 200th anniversary of Pike’s explorations into the interior west. An American soldier and explorer in the early 19th century, Zebulon Pike led the Pike Expedition to explore the western and southern areas of the Louisiana Purchase. His expedition was the first American attempt to explore the Rocky Mountains in Colorado and the western Great Plains. The Resolution encourages the American people to commemorate the contributions Pike made to this nation and its history. Senator Salazar’s resolution, which is co-sponsored by Senator Wayne Allard, is included below. S.RES. 252 Recognizing the Bicentennial Anniversary of Zebulon Montgomery Pike’s explorations in the interior west of the United States. RESOLUTION
Recognizing the Bicentennial Anniversary of Zebulon Montgomery Pike’s explorations in the interior west of the United States.
Whereas Zebulon Montgomery Pike was born January 5, 1779, in Lamberton, New Jersey, to a military family, which quickly was on the move across the Nation with Pike growing up on frontier military posts;
Whereas Zebulon Montgomery Pike served the United States with distinction, initially as a commissioned First Lieutenant in the First Infantry Regiment of the United States Army, later as a Captain, further as a Colonel of the 15th Regiment during the War of 1812, and ultimately as a Brigadier General in 1813;
Whereas in July of 1806, Zebulon Montgomery Pike was given the assignment of leading an expedition west from present-day St. Louis, Missouri, up the Arkansas River to its source in the highest of the Rocky Mountains, then into Colorado’s San Luis Valley;
Whereas Zebulon Montgomery Pike and his expedition traveled through the present day states of Missouri, Nebraska, Kansas, and Colorado observing the geography, natural history, and population of the country through which he passed;
Whereas Zebulon Montgomery Pike and his expedition reached the site of present day Pueblo, Colorado on November 23, 1806, and, fascinated with a blue peak in the Rocky Mountains to the west, Pike set out to explore the mountain;
Whereas Zebulon Montgomery Pike was prevented from completing the ascent due to waist-deep snow, inadequate clothing, and sub-zero temperatures, and so chose to turn back for the safety of his expedition;
Whereas Zebulon Montgomery Pike never set foot on “Pike’s Peak” but did contribute significantly to the interior west’s early exploration through the headwaters of the Arkansas River;
Whereas Zebulon Montgomery Pike and his expedition found the area of present day Great Sand Dunes National Park in Colorado and the headwaters of the Rio Grande, which he mistakenly thought was the Red River; and
Whereas on April 27,1813, Zebulon Montgomery Pike died in valiant service to his country, leading an attack on York, later to become Toronto, during the War of 1812: Now, therefore, be it Resolved, That the Senate –
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