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WHEREAS, The Gateway Clipper Fleet has been the premier, year-round mode of waterway recreation in the City of Pittsburgh providing a unique and dynamic way to introduce people to our dramatic views while and taking in our fantastic city; and
WHEREAS, 50 years ago The Gateway Clipper Fleet was established as part of a revitalization of Pittsburgh's rivers with its maiden voyage taking place on May 17, 1958 as the first pleasure cruise on the Three Rivers; and
WHEREAS, Since its initial launch as one of the first businesses to embrace our rivers as an important part of Pittsburgh's legacy, The Gateway Clipper Fleet has become a successful enterprise, growing from a one boat operation in 1958 with a hundred person capacity to a five boat fleet capable of carrying 2,500 passengers; and
WHEREAS, The Gateway Clipper Fleet has become a leader in the excursion boat industry offering both guidance and knowledge to boat owners in other cities looking to provide a similar enjoyable waterway experience; and
WHEREAS, over the past 50 years The Gateway Clipper Fleet has hosted celebrations for world dignitaries for the 1994 and 2006 Baseball All-Star Games, for the Steelers, Penguins, and Pirates championships, and over 25 million passengers as they cruise the Three Rivers; and
WHEREAS, to celebrate its 50th anniversary, The Gateway Clipper Fleet is raising expectations for the next 50 years on both performance and passenger satisfaction by adding even more diverse cruises and rechristening four boats in the fleet.
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NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Council of the City of Pittsburgh does hereby commend The Gateway Clipper Fleet for their 50 years of showcasing the spectacular beauty of our Three Rivers and the City of Pittsburgh and wishes them success for another 50 years.