Jon Kyl: “95 years ago today Arizona became the 48th State in the Union when, on February 14, 1912, President William Taft signed…”

“95 years ago today Arizona became the 48th State in the Union when, on February 14, 1912, President William Taft signed the Arizona Statehood Act. Today, just as almost a century ago, Americans are drawn to Arizona's economic opportunity, culture, and natural beauty. At the time of statehood, Arizona's population numbered in the hundreds of thousands, but it was growing quickly, from around 200,000 in 1910 to over 330,000 in 1920. Today, it is the Nation's fastest growing State, with a population of more than 6 million. Tourists flock to the State for its cultural heritage and scenic beauty. Arizona is home to four national parks and many other national monuments and historic sites. Many who visit these sites are heeding the advice of Theodore Roosevelt, who said of the Grand Canyon, ``You cannot improve on it. But what you can do is to keep it for your children, your children's children, and all who come after you, as the one great sight which every American should see.'' From its days as a rough Wild West territory to the dynamic State it is today, Arizona's beauty and culture has captivated those who have experienced it. I wish the State a happy birthday.”