1262                             JOINT RESOLUTIONS

No. 23
(House Joint Resolution 22)

Joint Resolution memorializing the death of Matthew Alexander
Henson.

On March 9, 1955, there died in New York City, at the age of
eighty-eight years, a native son of Charles County, Maryland.

This man was Matthew Alexander Henson, co-discoverer of the
North Pole with Admiral Robert E. Peary ori April 6, 1909.

Although the discovery of the North Pole brought fame to
Admiral Peary and the others who assisted him, Matthew Henson re-
mained unhonored and unrecognized by his native State of Mary-
land, although he received many honors from others outside of his
own State, among them being a Medal of Honor from the Congress
of the United States.

Matthew Henson exemplified the true explorer who did his work,
not for any hope of reward or honor, but because the thing that he
set himself to do was part of his being and must be done for the sake
of its accomplishment.

Few people then realized the great import of the words spoken by
Admiral Peary on April 6, 1909, when, in the icy fastness of the
Arctic regions, he said:

"I have today hoisted the national ensign of the United States
of America at this place, which my observations indicate to be the
North Polar axis of the earth, and have formally taken possession
of the entire region, and adjacent, for and in the name of the
President of the United States. I leave this record and the United
States flag in possession."

In 1909, a remote icy wilderness, uninteresting to all, of no na-
tional importance; today, in the year of 1955, the North Polar region
is a bastion of defense, protecting our country and our citizens from
any attack by air that an unscrupulous and cunning foe might launch.

Now, in death, Matthew Alexander Henson is beyond the reach of
any mortal words or acts that could be spoken or inscribed among the
records to reflect the great sense of esteem and humility that the
citizens of the State of Maryland, through this body, the General
Assembly of Maryland, desire to have enrolled, by this Joint Resolu-
tion, among the permanent records of our State, to the honor and
glory of Matthew Alexander Henson; now therefore be it

Resolved by the General Assembly of Maryland, That the Secretary
of Maryland be directed to send copies of this Joint Resolution, under
the great seal of the State of Maryland, to the President of the
United States; to the Governor of the State of Maryland, and to the
Matthew Henson Commemorative Projects, c/o Herbert M. Frisby,
Chairman, 1806 Druid Hill Avenue, Baltimore 17, Maryland.

Approved April 25, 1955.

EXPLANATION: Italics indicate new matter added to existing law.
[Brackets] indicate matter stricken from existing law.
CAPITALS indicate amendments to bill.
Strike out indicates matter stricken out of bill.