Body
WHEREAS, built in 1926 and used during World War II by the United States Navy to transport wounded soldiers being treated in San Francisco, California, the Delta Queen Steamboat is America's oldest operating overnight steamboat; and
WHEREAS after being decommissioned, the Delta Queen was purchased and renovated by Greene Line Steamers in 1947; and
WHEREAS, the Delta Queen remains one of the last enduring symbols of America's inland waterway travel system and was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1989; and
WHEREAS, the Delta Queen has been offering safe and reliable service for 60 years and has become one of the most treasured historic symbols in the hearts of her many passengers and crew members; and
WHEREAS, following the passage of the Safety of Life at Sea Act of 1966 (P.L. 89-777), passenger vessels that hosted berth or stateroom accommodations for 50 or more passengers had to comply with safety requirements as set forth by the Safety of Life at Sea Convention of 1960, with such requirements including the restriction of wooden passenger crafts due to fire safety regulations; and
WHEREAS, in response to the passage of this aforementioned Act, the Delta Queen's wooden superstructure was treated with fire retardant materials and outfitted with a modern sprinkler system, thereby making it resistant to the ignition of fires; and
WHEREAS, consequent to the passage of the Safety of Life at Sea Act, the Steamboat Delta Queen has been repeatedly granted exemptions, ten in total; and
WHEREAS, the Delta Queen's safety records do not report that she is any less safe today than she has been for the past 41 years, during which time she has been permitted to sail under various exemptions; and
WHEREAS, the current exemption that protects the Delta Queen is due to expire in 2008, and Congress has yet to act in accordance with its previous decisions in granting the vessel permission to continue her decades of service.
title
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOL...
Click here for full text