Lewis & Clark Bicentennial Congressional Caucus

U.S. Senate & U.S. House of Representatives
Lewis & Clark Bicentennial Congressional Caucuses

Joint Mission Statement

The U.S. Senate and U.S. House of Representatives Lewis and Clark Bicentennial Congressional Caucuses were formed in 1998 to coordinate the congressional response to the upcoming commemoration of the bicentennial of the Corps of Discovery (1803-1806). Since then, our membership has more than doubled. Individual caucus members have supported legislation related to the national bicentennial effort and we have participated in joint quarterly briefings with the National Lewis and Clark Bicentennial Council, and federal, state and tribal representatives. These briefings allow us to share information and discuss issues about programs, projects, and efforts that are focused on commemorating the bicentennial.

Mission:

Commemorate the bicentennial of the Lewis and Clark Expedition during the years 2003-2006.
Support the needs of federal and state agencies, tribes, communities and organizations that are dedicated to commemorating the Lewis and Clark Bicentennial.
Identify funding sources to provide grant money for local communities and tribes to commemorate the bicentennial.
Support activities and projects that are needed to enhance management of the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail and associated sites.
Coordinate federal legislative activities benefiting the Lewis and Clark Bicentennial.

Purpose:

The purpose of the U.S. Senate and U.S. House of Representatives Lewis and Clark Bicentennial Congressional Caucuses is to help inform and involve Members of Congress about the significance of the Lewis and Clark Expedition to our nation's history.

The caucuses will act as a unified voice in Congress to help coordinate and provide the resources that communities will need to commemorate the bicentennial. The caucuses will help local communities and tribes promote and enhance tourism opportunities that reflect unique local characteristics, interests, and history.

The caucuses will remain in existence throughout the bicentennial from 1998 to 2006.

Background Information:

Nearly 200 years ago (1803-1806), Meriwether Lewis, at the request of President Thomas Jefferson, and with Congressional support, began an exploration to find the source of the Missouri River and tributaries and to find a suitable water passage to the western ocean for the purpose of commerce. His co-commander was William Clark. Their mission also included the study of Native cultures, exploration of the land features, and informing the American Indians of the new sovereignty of the United States. The expedition route traveled by Lewis and Clark, now known as the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail, is the focus of a national bicentennial commemoration (2003-2006) which is attracting international interest.

In 1964, Congress established the Lewis and Clark Trail Commission (P.L. 88-630) to stimulate federal, state, and local agencies to identify, mark and preserve for the public inspiration and enjoyment the route traveled by Lewis and Clark. During its 5-year tenure, the Commission was instrumental in developing a uniform marking system and highway network approximating the expedition routes. In 1968 the National Trails System Act (P.L. 90-543) was established, naming the Lewis and Clark Trail as one of 14 routes to be studied for inclusion in the system. Upon completion of the study, a recommendation was made that a new category - national historic trails - be established. In 1978, Congress amended the National Trails System Act under (P.L. 95-625), creating a new category of historic trails and authorizing the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail. Administration of the trail was assigned by law to the Secretary of the Interior and delegated to the National Park Service. The trail is managed through a federal-state-tribal-local-private partnership, with the National Park Service providing overall administration and coordination.

The 1964 Commission also recommended and formulated a private non-profit organization to carry on the work of the Commission. The Lewis and Clark Trail Heritage Foundation, Inc., was founded in 1969. In 1985, the foundation formed a bicentennial committee and in 1993, formed the National Lewis and Clark Bicentennial Council as a separate nonprofit (501(c)(3)) organization to lead national private planning efforts and observations of the bicentennial.

On October 1, 1998, ten federal agencies and the National Lewis and Clark Bicentennial Council signed a memorandum of understanding describing how the partners will cooperate in planning for the observance of the bicentennial and coordinate the implementation of agency activities during the bicentennial. Since that time, one additional agency has signed on and a number of affiliate partners have expressed interest.

In 1998, the House and Senate Lewis and Clark Bicentennial Congressional Caucuses were formed to coordinate the congressional response to the upcoming commemoration. In the following year, the National Park Service and U.S. Forest Service detailed congressional fellows to assist the caucuses with this bipartisan congressional effort.