H.Res. 207 — Introduced in House

IV 113th CONGRESS 1st Session H. RES. 207 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES May 8, 2013 Mr. Kilmer (for himself, Mr. Heck of Washington, Mr. Larsen of Washington, Ms. DelBene, Mr. McDermott, Mr. Reichert, and Mr. Smith of Washington) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform RESOLUTION Recognizing the 50th anniversary of the first ascent of Mt. Everest by United States citizens. Whereas James W. Whittaker stood on top of Mt. Everest at 1:00 p.m. on May 1, 1963, with Sherpa Nawang Gombu, and planted the American flag for the first time on the highest point of earth; Whereas Mr. Whittaker was a part of a team led by Swiss Mountaineer Norman Dyhrenfurth, that consisted of 19 United States mountaineers, scientists, writers, and photographers, who were assisted by dozens of Sherpas and hundreds of porters, became the first United States team to reach the peak of Mt. Everest; Whereas Mr. Whittaker and the team stood as heroes and inspired the country during a time when the Nation was consumed with the ongoing struggles of the Cold War, the Cuban Missile Crisis, high unemployment, and the looming war in Vietnam; Whereas upon returning, the team was recognized at a reception in the White House Rose Garden, where President John F. Kennedy presented each with the Hubbard Medal of the National Geographic Society; Whereas Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., has called Mr. Whittaker’s story a riveting saga of high adventure by one of history’s greatest climbers; Whereas Mr. Whittaker was the first full-time employee of one of the country’s largest outdoor retailers, Recreational Equipment, Inc., and went on to retire as its President and Chief Executive Officer after 25 years with the company; Whereas throughout his life, Mr. Whittaker has lived his life to the fullest, leading numerous, high-profile climbing expeditions, including the first ascent of Mt. Kennedy, which was completed with Senator Robert F. Kennedy in the Canadian Yukon in 1965; Whereas Mr. Whittaker also led the first ascent by a United States citizen of K2 in 1978, and the successful Mt. Everest International Peace Climb in 1990; and Whereas Mr. Whittaker is the author of the best-selling, award-winning memoir, A Life on the Edge: Memoirs of Everest and Beyond and has shared his story in person as a motivational speaker: Now, therefore, be it That the House of Representatives— (1) congratulates James W. Whittaker and his fellow climbers on the 50th anniversary of the first ascent of Mt. Everest by United States citizens; (2) honors Mr. Whittaker for his leadership in the outdoor recreation community; and (3) recognizes the extraordinary feat Mr. Whittaker accomplished 50 years ago and how his story has inspired countless people in the Northwest and beyond.