RELEASE: Idaho Delegation Submits Time Capsule Items for America’s 250th Anniversary

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 2, 2026

CONTACT:
Kyra Smith (Crapo)

Collection honors Idaho’s tribal heritage, agricultural excellence, energy innovation and advanced manufacturing

WASHINGTON, D.C.—Idaho’s U.S. Senators Mike Crapo and Jim Risch, and U.S. Representatives Mike Simpson and Russ Fulcher, submitted a collection of historic items for the Semiquincentennial Congressional Time Capsule. As the United States marks 250 years of independence, the selected items reflect the unique ingenuity, productivity and pioneering spirit that shape the Gem State and continue to influence the future of the nation.

“Idaho is honored to contribute items that tell the story of our state’s rich past and forward-looking leadership,” said Senator Crapo. “Together, these symbols represent the enduring efforts of Idahoans to lead our nation into the next 250 years through tribal cultural traditions, agricultural production, scientific research, energy innovation and advanced semiconductor manufacturing.”

“For generations, Idahoans have embodied the values that make this country great: faith, hard work, grit, and self-reliance. From our potato farmers feeding the nation to our advancements in semiconductors and nuclear energy driving innovation, Idaho is leading the way to a stronger and more prosperous America,” said Senator Risch. “As we celebrate America 250, I’m proud to recognize a few of Idaho’s significant contributions to the United States through this time capsule. We live in the greatest state in the greatest nation in the world, and I am confident that will continue for another 250 years and beyond.”

“I am thrilled to join my Idaho colleagues in celebrating 250 years of American independence through the Semiquincentennial Congressional Time Capsule,” said Representative Fulcher. “From our rich agricultural roots to our leadership in energy innovation and advanced manufacturing, the items we contributed reflect the trailblazing spirit and hardworking communities that define the Gem State. It’s an honor to share them with future generations of Americans 250 years from now.”

“As we prepare to celebrate our nation’s 250th birthday, I am honored to participate in the Semiquincentennial Congressional Time Capsule alongside my colleagues from Idaho,” said Representative Simpson. “Our contributions include some of the very best that the Gem State has to offer, and I am confident that future generations will appreciate Idaho’s rich heritage. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and I look forward to celebrating America’s 250th.”

“Participating in this time capsule allows the Shoshone-Bannock Tribes to leave a meaningful message for future generations,” said Shoshone-Bannock Chairwoman Donna Thompson. “The items we selected reflect our culture, history, and community in 2026, from our beadwork to stories preserved in our Tribal newspaper and historical publications. Each piece honors our ancestors and preserves our identity. We hope that when the capsule is opened, people will see a nation proud of its heritage, committed to its traditions, and dedicated to a strong future for our people.”

“The Nez Perce Tribe was honored to contribute a copy of the Nez Perce Treaty of 1855 and a patch featuring our Tribal logo alongside the U.S flag to the time capsule,” said Nez Perce Tribal Executive Committee Chairman Samuel N. Penney. “Together, these items demonstrate and symbolize the enduring history, legacy, and the government-to-government relationship between the United States and the Nez Perce Tribe. We hope future generations who open this capsule will recognize and appreciate the significance of this lasting relationship.”

“The Idaho potato industry is honored that Spuddy Buddy, Idaho’s beloved potato mascot, is included in the Semiquincentennial Congressional Time Capsule, representing Idaho’s most iconic crop and the rich agricultural heritage of our state,” said Jamey Higham, CEO, Idaho Potato Commission.

“Two hundred and fifty years ago, America’s founders could not have imagined the atom, let alone its power,” said John Wagner, Director of the Idaho National Laboratory. “The coin in this capsule comes from the high desert of Idaho, where the United States first proved that the atom could power a nation — and where, today, the next chapter of nuclear energy is being written. INL is proud to carry that legacy forward — testing, validating, and demonstrating the advanced reactors that will define the next era of American energy leadership.”

“For more than four decades, Micron has proudly called Idaho home, and our roots in Boise continue to shape who we are as a company,” said Sanjay Mehrotra, Chairman, President, and CEO of Micron Technology. “From this foundation, we are advancing cutting-edge memory and storage innovations that power the AI-driven future and strengthen U.S. technology leadership. It is an honor to contribute to this time capsule and celebrate Idaho’s enduring spirit of innovation as we help build the next 250 years of American ingenuity.”

The delegation submitted the following items to represent the foundational pillars of Idaho’s identity:

Nez Perce, Shoshone-Bannock and Coeur d’Alene Tribal Items: Recognizing that Idaho’s history and identity are inseparable from the Native American Tribes that have called the region home since long before statehood, these items honor the resilience, cultural legacy and continuing contributions of Idaho’s Tribal Nations.

“Spuddy Buddy” Plush: Idaho potatoes are synonymous with quality and American farming excellence. As the nation’s leading potato producer, this item symbolizes the hard work, resilience and stewardship of the land that defines Idaho’s vital agricultural sector. Generations of Idahoans work in the agriculture industry, and their work feeds our nation and the world.

Idaho National Laboratory (INL) Challenge Coin: The INL represents Idaho’s longstanding leadership in scientific discovery and energy innovation. The coin highlights a legacy that began with generating the world’s first usable nuclear electricity in 1951 and continues today with the recent historic criticality milestone of the Antares microreactor.

Micron HBM4 Chip: As the most advanced memory chip in the world in 2026, this item represents Boise-based Micron Technology’s role in a strategically vital industry: semiconductor manufacturing and research and development. The chip underscores Idaho’s leadership in high-tech innovation, artificial intelligence and national security at a time Micron is making historic investments in its Boise campus.

Together, these items contribute to the story of Idaho. The Semiquincentennial Congressional Time Capsule will be sealed as part of the nation’s 250th-anniversary celebrations, preserving these symbols of Idaho’s past, present and future for generations of Americans to come. The time capsule is not expected to be opened until 2276.