Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 58 Part 2.djvu/200

. Mar. 21, 31, 1944 78TH CONG., 2D SESS. Apr. 21, 1944 CENTENNIAL OF THE TELEGRAPH Whereas Samuel F. B. Morse, a distinguished American artist, invented the first practical electro-magnetic telegraph in the winter of 1835-1836, and obtained an appropriation from the Congress of the United States in 1843 for the construction of an experimental telegraph line between Baltimore, Maryland, and Washington, District of Columbia; and Whereas the first telegram, "What Hath God Wrought?", was sent over this line from the old Supreme Court room in the Capitol to Baltimore on May 24, 1844; and Whereas the sending of the first telegram marked the beginning of the telegraph industry, which has been indispensable to the country in four wars and, by linking all sections, has implemented the tradi- tional motto, "E Pluribus Unum"; and Whereas the telegraph was the first speedy means of communication connecting the nations of the world, bringing all peoples closer together, and promoting the dissemination of ideas as well as international trade; and Whereas the telegraph was the first great electrical discovery and was the forerunner of our entire system of electrical communications, including the telephone, the radio, and television: Therefore be it Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate concurring), That there is hereby created a joint congressional committee to be composed of five Members of the Senate to be appointed by the President of the Senate, and five Members of the House of Repre- sentatives to be appointed by the Speaker of the House of Repre- sentatives. Such committee shall secure an appropriate plaque or other suitable memorial to be placed in or near the room in the Capitol from which the first telegraph message was dispatched, and shall arrange for appropriate exercises, to be held on May 24, 1944, for the purpose of placing such plaque or other memorial and com- memorating the Centennial of the Telegraph. The cost of carrying out the provisions of this concurrent resolution, including the cost of such plaque or other memorial, not to exceed $4,000, shall be paid one-half from the contingent fund of the House and one-half from the contingent fund of the Senate. Passed March 21, 1944. ADJOURNMENT Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate concurring), That when the two Houses adjourn on Saturday, April 1, 1944, they stand adjourned until 12 o'clock meridian, Wednesday, April 12, 1944. Passed March 31, 1944. POST-WAR PLANNING Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate concurring), That, in accordance with paragraph 3 of section 2, of the Printing Act approved March 1, 1907, the Committee on Public Buildings and Grounds of the House of Representatives be, and is hereby, authorized and empowered to have printed for its use one thousand additional copies of the hearings held before said committee during the current session relative to post-war planning. Passed April 21, 1944. March 21, 1944 [H. Con. Res. 72] Joint committee to secure suitable memo- rial. Limitation and di- vision of expenses. March 31, 1944 [H. Con. Res. 76] April 21, 1944 [H. Con. Res. 80] Printing of addi- tional copies of House committee hearings. 34 Stat. 1012. 44U. .C.1154. 58 STAT. ]
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