Commemorating the Bicentennial of the Louisiana Purchase.

Mr. Speaker, this year the United States celebrates this very significant anniversary, the 200th anniversary of the Louisiana Purchase.

In my home State of Louisiana in particular, but really all across the country, celebrations are taking place throughout this year in honor of the role this historic event played in our Nation's history. When President Jefferson designated Robert Livingston and James Monroe to negotiate the Louisiana Purchase treaty with Napoleon Bonaparte, he hoped to secure for the country the Port of New Orleans and guarantee access to the important trade route along the Mississippi River. Of course, he did accomplish that; but he accomplished so much more than even that, doubling the size of the new country. The whole territory stretched from Canada to the Gulf of Mexico and included all or part of what are now 15 States; and, of course, it enabled further westward expansion by later settlers.

It is noteworthy of course that this largest land transaction in our country's history was accomplished without the use of force, which was certainly in stark contrast to similar land transactions of earlier countries and empires. The Louisiana Purchase has been call the greatest land deal in history, as was mentioned, 600 million acres for $15 million or about 4 cents an acre. Not only did the acquisition guarantee our navigation rights along the Mississippi and our ability to ship goods for foreign trade, but it was absolutely central to our rise as a world power.

So it is fitting that we take a little time today to formally recognize the significance these events played in shaping our country and the way it benefited generations of Americans.

The Louisiana Purchase shaped the United States's destiny. Our country will be forever grateful for the extraordinary work of the individuals involved and the noble vision exercised by President Jefferson. Robert Livingston who was a relative, by the way, of my predecessor, Bob Livingston. As he signed the treaty, he perhaps put it best: ``We have lived long, but this is the noblest work of our whole lives . . . from this day the United States take their place among the powers of the first rank . . . the instruments which we have just signed . . . prepare ages of happiness for innumerable generations of human creatures.''

I would like to thank my colleagues from Louisiana, also the gentleman from Arkansas (Mr. Boozman) and the gentleman from Arkansas (Mr. Ross), the site of the initial surveying in our new territory; the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Goode), home of President Jefferson; the gentleman from California (Mr. Pombo), Chair of the Committee on Resources, and all of the leadership for their work on this legislation.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the storied legacy of the great state I represent, Louisiana. This year marks the bicentennial of the Louisiana Purchase, and today I am proud to commemorate this monumental event in our nation's history and in the history of the state of Louisiana and welcome the nation's participation in the yearlong celebration that will educate, entertain, and impart a lasting wonder for Louisiana. I have the esteemed privilege of representing Louisiana's fifth district, the `heart of Louisiana'.

In 1803, Thomas Jefferson and Napoleon negotiated the United States' purchase of Louisiana from France. With just two strokes of the pen, our young nation doubled in size overnight, becoming one of the largest nations in the world. The Louisiana Purchase, approved by treaty in April of 1803, is called the most significant real estate transaction in the history of civilization. Encompassing over 800,000 square miles of land and costing about four cents per acre, the Louisiana Purchase eventually became all or part of 15 states: Arkansas, Missouri, Iowa, North Dakota, Texas, South Dakota, New Mexico, Nebraska, Wyoming, Kansas, Minnesota, Oklahoma, Colorado, Montana and definitely not least of all, Louisiana, my home state.

As part of the bicentennial celebration friends of the Louisiana Purchase bicentennial have collaborated to provide museum exhibits, concerts, films, re-enactments, and memorabilia. One of the museum exhibits that is especially dear to me is the Heart of Spain at the Alexandria Museum of Art in my district. Louisiana's history is intertwined with that of Spain's, and the influences of Spanish culture are still realized in the state's food, architecture, and government. In honor of the Louisiana Purchase Bicentennial, the Alexandria Museum of Art is inviting America, until November 30, to experience artifacts from world-renown Spanish museums, monasteries, churches and private collections El Corazon de Espana, in Alexandria, Louisiana offers a unique opportunity to be nourished and inspired by art and culture that is indicative of the friendship between Spain and Louisiana.

Mr. Speaker, I am thrilled to extend an invitation to my colleagues and to the nation to live, learn, and love Louisiana's rich history. When commenting to Thomas Jefferson on the Louisiana Purchase General Horatio Gates said, ``Let the land rejoice for you have bought Louisiana for a song.'' Today, I hope my colleagues will join with Louisiana, its citizens and friends, in singing ``Happy Birthday.''

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to help commemorate an event in our Nation's history that we can all join together in celebrating.

With the stroke of a pen in 1803, President Jefferson doubled America in size, making us one of the largest Nations in the world. The Louisiana Purchase comprised more than 600 million acres at less than 3 cents an acre in what today is the greater part of 13 states between the Mississippi River and the Rocky Mountains.

Arkansas was one of those states--the third state formed after Louisiana and Missouri. Two hundred years later, Arkansas continues to prove itself a valuable asset to our Nation. Our state has contributed much to our great country--our agriculture and other industries feed our Nation and fuel our economy; our State's natural beauty is an endless source of enjoyment for families and visitors. Arkansas has supplied our Nation with food and fiber, entertainers, and even a president.

The 828,000 square mile west of the Mississippi River is some of the most beautiful and bountiful land in our country. If only $15 million could go that far today! I invite my colleagues and our Nation to join me in celebrating one of the single most noteworthy events in our Nation's history--the Louisiana Purchase. This year as we celebrate the bicentennial, I hope that you will visit Arkansas and any of the other states that were purchased for so little, and that now prove to be priceless.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 21) commemorating the Bicentennial of the Louisiana Purchase.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, House Concurrent Resolution 21, introduced by the gentleman from Louisiana (Mr. Vitter), would commemorate the bicentennial of the Louisiana Purchase. As my colleagues know, the Louisiana Purchase was the largest single land acquisition in our Nation's history, 827,987 square miles, or nearly 600 million acres. Purchased from France in 1803 for $15 million, it stretched from Canada to the Gulf of Mexico and from the Mississippi River to the Rocky Mountains, nearly doubling the size of the United States at the time. Today, 15 States or parts of States exist within the area carved out by the Louisiana Purchase.

House Concurrent Resolution 21 is a commemorative resolution that would pay homage to one of the most significant events of our Nation's history. I urge my colleagues to support House Concurrent Resolution 21.

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Louisiana (Mr. Vitter), the sponsor of this resolution.

Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

(Mrs. CHRISTENSEN asked and was given permission to revise and extend her remarks.)

Mr. Speaker, it would be difficult to overstate the historical significance of the Louisiana Purchase. Looking back, it is difficult to imagine a single land purchase which doubled the size of this Nation, and it is equally hard to imagine what America might look like today had that purchase not been made.

We support the findings and sentiments expressed in this concurrent resolution and support its adoption.

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I yield back the balance of my time.