[Congressional Bills 113th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 490 Agreed to Senate (ATS)]

113th CONGRESS
  2d Session
S. RES. 490

    Commemorating the 50th Anniversary of the Cape May-Lewes Ferry.


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                             June 26, 2014

   Mr. Coons (for himself, Mr. Booker, Mr. Carper, and Mr. Menendez) 
 submitted the following resolution; which was considered and agreed to

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
    Commemorating the 50th Anniversary of the Cape May-Lewes Ferry.

Whereas, on September 20, 1962, the 87<SUP>th</SUP> Congress granted consent to 
        the State of Delaware and the State of New Jersey to enter into a 
        compact to establish the Delaware River and Bay Authority (referred to 
        in this preamble as the ``DRBA'') for the development of the area in 
        both States bordering the Delaware River and Bay;
Whereas the pressures of increasing amounts of traffic, a growing population, 
        and greater industrialization indicated the need for closer cooperation 
        between the 2 States in order to advance their economic development and 
        to improve crossings and transportation between the 2 States;
Whereas the Delaware River and Bay Authority was organized on February 6, 1963, 
        to construct and operate transportation crossings between the 2 States 
        and its first line of business was to update earlier feasibility studies 
        for a ferry service connecting southern New Jersey and southern 
        Delaware;
Whereas DRBA Commissioners immediately resolved, in April 1963, to establish the 
        Cape May-Lewes Ferry at the earliest possible date following the release 
        of the updated feasibility study;
Whereas, on July 1, 1964, the very first vessel departed the Lewes, Delaware 
        terminal at 6:47 a.m., carrying 8 vehicles and 15 passengers;
Whereas the Cape May-Lewes Ferry has served as a major transportation link in 
        the crowded Northeast corridor, connecting north-south traffic from 
        Boston and New York City to Washington, D.C. and Florida;
Whereas the 85 minute, 17 mile journey across the Delaware Bay offers an 
        efficient way to cut miles off a road trip;
Whereas the Cape May-Lewes Ferry has evolved over the past 50 years from 
        strictly a mode of transportation to one that includes tourism and 
        recreational opportunities;
Whereas the Cape May-Lewes Ferry offers foot passenger shuttle service to 
        destinations in Delaware and New Jersey for a variety of commercial and 
        recreational activities on the other side of the Delaware Bay;
Whereas both bird watchers and bicyclists use the Cape May-Lewes Ferry to access 
        the various and numerous trails on both sides of the Delaware Bay;
Whereas the Cape May-Lewes Ferry terminals will host festivals to celebrate the 
        highly anticipated 50<SUP>th</SUP> Anniversary of the Cape May-Lewes 
        Ferry on June 28, 2014, in Cape May and June 29, 2014, in Lewes;
Whereas the Cape May-Lewes Ferry employs more than 130 full-time personnel and 
        an additional 330 seasonal workers, adding significantly to the 
        economies on both sides of the Delaware Bay;
Whereas the Cape May-Lewes Ferry operates year-round and has carried more than 
        43 million passengers and 14 million vehicles since the inception of the 
        Cape May-Lewes Ferry in 1964;
Whereas the DRBA continues to invest its resources to improve the services and 
        infrastructure of the Cape May-Lewes Ferry, including a renovated ferry 
        fleet and new passenger terminal facilities; and
Whereas the Cape May-Lewes Ferry remains an important transportation link, as a 
        waterway continuation of United States Route 9 between the State of 
        Delaware and the State of New Jersey: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the Senate--
            (1) commemorates the 50<SUP>th</SUP> Anniversary of the 
        Cape May-Lewes Ferry, connecting the communities of Lewes, 
        Delaware and Cape May, New Jersey;
            (2) celebrates the history of the Cape May-Lewes Ferry as 
        an important transportation and tourism link between the State 
        of Delaware and the State of New Jersey;
            (3) honors the ongoing role that the Cape May-Lewes Ferry 
        plays in bringing people together through interstate commerce, 
        tourism, and recreation all along the eastern seaboard; and
            (4) recognizes the positive contributions that the Cape 
        May-Lewes Ferry has on the development and growth of the Twin 
        Capes region of Cape Henlopen, Delaware and Cape May, New 
        Jersey.
                                 <all>