5623592 ACR 21-85, Lincoln Highway Feeder Recognition Resolution of 2015

A CEREMONIAL RESOLUTION

21-85

IN THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA

July 14, 2015

 

To recognize the significance of the Lincoln Highway, celebrate the 100^th anniversary of it being routed through the District of Columbia via the Lincoln Highway Feeder, and declare July 27, 2015, as “Lincoln Highway Feeder Day” in the District of Columbia.

 

            WHEREAS, the Lincoln Highway was the nation’s first transcontinental highway, from New York to San Francisco, established by “Proclamation of Route” on September 10, 1913, by the Lincoln Highway Association of Detroit, Michigan;

 

            WHEREAS, the Lincoln Highway was built in honor of President Abraham Lincoln as a “Perpetual Memorial” and “Road of Character,” binding the nation together in his spirit to be perpetuated by the energies of future generations as a “Labor of Love” as mankind continues its march toward perfection;

 

            WHEREAS, 100 years ago, on July 27, 1915, the Lincoln Highway was officially routed through the Nation’s Capital via the Lincoln Highway Feeder, making the Lincoln Highway a true national highway, binding together north and south and making the Mason-Dixon line a thing of the past;

 

            WHEREAS, this historic routing was made possible through the combined efforts of the DC Board of Commissioners, the Chamber of Commerce, the Board of Trade, U.S. Senators John Smith and Blair Lee of Maryland, and President Woodrow Wilson;

 

            WHEREAS, Colonel Robert N. Harper, President of the Chamber of Commerce and Chairman of the Lincoln Highway Feeder Committee provided extraordinary vision and leadership in the development of Washington, D.C., and was the driving force behind all matters concerning the Lincoln Highway Feeder in Washington, D.C.;

 

            WHEREAS, the Lincoln Highway Feeder entered the District from Baltimore via Bladensburg Road and Maryland Avenue, then past the Capitol on B Street, down First Street, up Pennsylvania Avenue, past the White House, down 17^th Street,  around the Lincoln Memorial, then back up 17^th  and 16th Streets to Scott Circle, Massachusetts Avenue, and Wisconsin Avenue to Gettysburg, Pennsylvania;

 

            WHEREAS, the Lincoln Highway Feeder played a significant role in the development of Washington and was the catalyst for “The National Capital Prepared”, the first comprehensive film ever made of Washington, D.C., featuring local business and municipal officials, President Wilson, his Cabinet, and many members of Congress, as well as all the city’s attractions, including the highlight of the film, the Fire Department responding to a large blaze; and.

 

WHEREAS, the Lincoln Highway was also the catalyst for the zero milestone dedicated as the nation’s “Golden Milestone” and the starting point of the nation’s highway system on the north side of the Ellipse in front of the White House at the start of the first Army Transcontinental Motor Transport Convoy that traveled across the continent from Washington, D.C., to San Francisco via the Lincoln Highway in 1919, with Colonel Harper, Chairman of the Washington Lincoln Highway Feeder Committee, as Master of Ceremonies.

 

            IT IS HEREBY RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, that the Council of the District of Columbia recognizes the significance of the Lincoln Highway, celebrates the 100^th anniversary of it being routed through the District of Columbia via the Lincoln Highway Feeder, and declares July 27, 2015, as “Lincoln Highway Feeder Day” in the District of Columbia.

 

            Sec. 2. This resolution may be cited as the “Lincoln Highway Feeder Recognition Resolution of 2015”.

 

            Sec. 3.  This resolution shall take effect immediately upon the first date of publication in the District of Columbia Register.