Raúl Grijalva: “The purpose of House Resolution 217, introduced by our colleague from Oregon, Mr. David Wu, is to express the sense of…”

“The purpose of House Resolution 217, introduced by our colleague from Oregon, Mr. David Wu, is to express the sense of the House of Representatives concerning the 50th anniversary of the flooding of Celilo Falls. Celilo Falls was a unique natural feature formed as the Columbia River carved a path through the hard volcanic rock east of the Cascade Mountains. On March 10, 1957, the Dalles Dam was completed, flooding the historic fishing and trading area around Celilo Falls. For over 10,000 years, the falls had been an area of intense trading and commerce for Indian tribes from as far away as Alaska, the Great Plains, and the Southwest. The falls were also noted as an extremely abundant fishery, where tons of Columbia River salmon were caught, dried, and traded. This resolution simply seeks to recognize the 50th anniversary of the flooding of the falls, and to remember Celilo Falls as an important area of fishing and trading for many tribal peoples. I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting House Resolution 217, and I offer my congratulations to Congressman Wu for his leadership on this resolution.”