This week marks the bicentennial celebration of the statehood of Louisiana. Among the historical records of the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate at the Center for Legislative Archives are many documents that illustrate the important role Congress plays in the creation of states. For Louisiana the road to statehood was relatively short; it became a state less than 10 years after being acquired from the French Government under provisions of the Louisiana Purchase. Visit our featured documents page for selection of congressional records that document Louisiana’s journey to become the 18th state in the Union.  

Proclamation of Governor William Claiborne, 12/20/1803, Records of the U.S. House of Representatives 

President Jefferson’s nomination of William Claiborne, 11/30/1804, Records of the U.S. Senate

The Constitution of the State of Louisiana, 1/22/1812, Records of the U.S. Senate

HR 88, 3/20/1812, Records of the U.S. Senate

Congress in the Archives will feature monthly staff posts on our blog. Today’s post comes from Center archivist Kris Wilhelm.

I like to cite this exchange between Senator William A. Smith (R-MI), chairman of the Senate Commerce Committee’s special subcommittee to investigate the Titanic disaster, and Harold G. Lowe, Titanic’s fifth officer, as an example of something silly from a congressional hearing. Taken in context, however, it captures the shock and disbelief shared by millions around the world that a mere chunk of ice could bring down a creation as mighty as the RMS Titanic. On this 100th anniversary of the sinking, we commemorate the 1,517 lives lost that night in one of the most famous disasters of the 20th century.

The subcommittee hearings began at the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel in New York City a mere four days after the sinking. The 1,171 printed pages of transcripts read like a Who’s Who of Titanic characters: J. Bruce Ismay, the general manager of the White Star Line; Arthur H. Rostron, the captain of the Carpathia; Fredrick Sammis, chief engineer of Marconi’s Wireless Telegraph Co.; passengers; stewards; telegraphers; quartermasters; lookouts; firemen; officers; even a lamp trimmer and second donkeyman. They detail the ship’s design and construction, communications capabilities, speed, passenger experience, evacuation, and rescue efforts.

The hearings and final report of the Senate Commerce Committee’s special subcommittee as well as the findings of the British government’s investigation into the sinking were printed as Senate Documents and are available in many federal depository libraries throughout the United States.

As a result of the subcommittee’s findings, S.J. Res. 111 was introduced by the subcommittee’s chair, Senator William A. Smith (R-MI). S.J. Res. 111 awarded the crew of the Carpathia medals for rescuing 704 survivors of the Titanic.

Senate Commerce Committee subcommittee hearings on the Titanic Disaster, 62nd Congress, 2nd session, April 24, 1912, S. Doc. 726, U.S. Serial Set volume 6167

S.J. Res. 111, 1912, Records of the U.S. Senate

In honor of the 100th anniversary of the foundation of the Girl Scouts of the United States of America today, we are featuring this letter received by Senator Robert Hendrickson (R-NJ) in 1954. Ely Maxwell, Publications Adviser for the Girl Scouts, sent Sen. Hendrickson this letter on October 22, 1954 with a copy of the comic book “Daisy Low of the Girl Scouts.” During this time, the Senate Judiciary Committee had created a Subcommittee on Juvenile Delinquency. One of the main investigations into juvenile delinquency was the comic book industry. Maxwell hoped that by sending this letter to Sen. Hendrickson, the Senate would see that there were “good comic books.” Sen. Hendrickson replied to Maxwell on November 3, notifying her that he forwarded her letter and comic book to the subcommittee staff. Letter from Ely Maxwell on behalf of the Girl Scouts, 10/22/1954, Records of the US Senate
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In honor of the 100th anniversary of the foundation of the Girl Scouts of the United States of America today, we are featuring this letter received by Senator Robert Hendrickson (R-NJ) in 1954. Ely Maxwell, Publications Adviser for the Girl Scouts, sent Sen. Hendrickson this letter on October 22, 1954 with a copy of the comic book “Daisy Low of the Girl Scouts.” During this time, the Senate Judiciary Committee had created a Subcommittee on Juvenile Delinquency. One of the main investigations into juvenile delinquency was the comic book industry. Maxwell hoped that by sending this letter to Sen. Hendrickson, the Senate would see that there were “good comic books.” Sen. Hendrickson replied to Maxwell on November 3, notifying her that he forwarded her letter and comic book to the subcommittee staff.

Letter from Ely Maxwell on behalf of the Girl Scouts, 10/22/1954, Records of the US Senate

On March 1, 1872, President Ulysses S. Grant signed H.R. 16 into law, creating Yellowstone National Park. Yellowstone was our young nation’s first national park. In 1888 there was a nationwide movement to further preserve Yellowstone. The Center for Legislative Archives has numerous petitions, like the one shown above, from citizens across the U.S. asking Congress to protect the park against trespassers and developers, as well as to preserve the wildlife and other natural wonders that exist within the park. In 1916, Congress created, with the approval of President Woodrow Wilson, the National Park Service within the Department of the Interior to oversee the preservation of national parks and monuments “for the enjoyment of future generations.”

An Act to Create Yellowstone National Park,3/1/1872, General Records of the U.S. Government (ARC 596351)

Petition from citizens praying for the protection of Yellowstone National Park, 3/1888, Records of the U.S. House of Representatives

Prompted by this memorial from the mayor and other citizens of Philadelphia, the House and Senate commemorated the 130th Anniversary of Washington’s birth by reading aloud his Farewell Address in 1862. In a special joint session held in the House Chamber, the House and Senate, along with several cabinet officials, Justices of the Supreme Court and high-ranking officers of the Army and Navy, gathered to listen to the Secretary of State read the address aloud. Eventually, the reading of George Washington’s Farewell Address became an annual event for the Senate, a tradition that is still observed today. In fact, when the Senate convenes today, after returning from a week-long recess, Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) will read Washington’s Farewell Address, which will mark the 150th anniversary of the this tradition.

Memorial of the mayor and other citizens of Philadelphia, 1/31/1862, Records of the U.S Senate

Today marks the 100th anniversary for Arizona’s statehood! Check out our image gallery to see a selection of documents we’ve compiled from Arizona’s path to statehood. Memorial of the Territory of Arizona praying for Statehood, 3/11/1899, Records of the U.S. House of Representatives
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Today marks the 100th anniversary for Arizona’s statehood! Check out our image gallery to see a selection of documents we’ve compiled from Arizona’s path to statehood.

Memorial of the Territory of Arizona praying for Statehood, 3/11/1899, Records of the U.S. House of Representatives

New Mexico turns 100!

Map of New Mexico, 1909

Today marks the 100th Anniversary of New Mexico’s statehood. In honor of this monumental anniversary, we’ve selected a number of documents to feature on our website. Check them out!

Map of New Mexico, 1908, Records of the U.S. House of Representatives

Representative Shirley Chisholm took her seat for the first time today in 1969, becoming the first African-American congresswomen. Rep. Chisholm retired from the House on January 3, 1983.

Shirley Chisholm

Source: Shirley Chisholm (2008), Black Americans in Congress

Credentials of Representatives from New York, 11/5/1968, Records of the U.S. House of Representatives

Shirley Chisholm’s Oath of Office, 1/21/1969, Records of the U.S. House of Representatives

Happy Birthday Yosemite National Park!

On October 1, 1890 the Yosemite National Park was created. One of the first steps to preserve the Yosemite region was taken in 1864 when President Lincoln signed Senate Bill 230, which removed the area from the public domain and granted it to California for “public use, resort, and recreation.” This was the first time the federal government acted to protect and preserve scenic lands, paving the way for the creation of the National Park Service and the first National Park.

S. 203, introduced 3/28/1864, Records of the U.S. Senate