Ed Whitfield: “I want to thank Members on both sides of the aisle for working with us on this resolution. Mr. Speaker, as it has…”

“I want to thank Members on both sides of the aisle for working with us on this resolution. Mr. Speaker, as it has already been said, John James Audubon came to Henderson, Kentucky, in 1810, 200 years ago this year. He was an ornithologist, naturalist, and painter. He also painted and catalogued the birds of North America in a more precise way than any other naturalist in this Nation's history. Not only was he a tremendous painter, he also was a great businessman, and in 1816, he brought one of the first steam-powered saw-and-grist mills on the banks of the Ohio River to Kentucky. To commemorate John James Audubon's commitment to his community and wildlife, the Commonwealth of Kentucky dedicated the John James Audubon State Park on October 3, 1934. It is an impressive structure designed as a replica of a Norman-French inn to honor Audubon's French heritage. The museum structure has a round tower in which there is a lot of nesting birds, I must say. A cobbled courtyard with a French garden graces the immediate grounds of the museum. It also contains the world's largest oils and water colors of birds. And today, the park enjoys thousands of visitors who come and admire the work of John James Audubon. This year their bicentennial celebration has been occurring throughout the year, and it's going to end on October 23 in Henderson with a huge gala in the community celebrating the works of John James Audubon.”