[Congressional Bills 115th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 559 Introduced in House (IH)]

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115th CONGRESS
  1st Session
H. RES. 559

  Recognizing Navy Pier as a public community resource and treasured 
                           Chicago landmark.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                            October 5, 2017

Mr. Danny K. Davis of Illinois (for himself, Ms. Schakowsky, Mr. Rush, 
Ms. Kelly of Illinois, Mr. Quigley, Mr. Krishnamoorthi, Mr. Gutierrez, 
 Mr. Bost, and Mr. Lipinski) submitted the following resolution; which 
    was referred to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
  Recognizing Navy Pier as a public community resource and treasured 
                           Chicago landmark.

Whereas, after 100 years of significant impact, Navy Pier has been reimagined 
        and has adopted the following new mission: ``Navy Pier is the People's 
        Pier, Chicago's lakefront treasure, welcoming all and offering dynamic 
        and eclectic experiences through partnerships and programs that inspire 
        discovery and wonder.'';
Whereas Navy Pier opened to the public in 1916 and was originally named 
        Municipal Pier #2;
Whereas Navy Pier was built under nationally known architect Charles Sumner 
        Frost, based on Daniel Burham's ``Master Plan of Chicago'';
Whereas Municipal Pier was the first of its kind to accommodate both the 
        commercial shipping industry and recreation and entertainment for the 
        public, drawing over 3 million visitors annually;
Whereas, in 1917, Municipal Pier was adapted to house several regiments of 
        soldiers, Red Cross workers, and home defense units, and the Pier served 
        as a barracks during World War I;
Whereas Municipal Pier was officially renamed Navy Pier in 1927 as a tribute to 
        the United States Navy personnel who were housed at the Pier during the 
        conflict;
Whereas, from 1941 to 1947, the Pier was leased to the United States Navy as a 
        naval training center for 60,000 recruits, one of whom was President 
        George H.W. Bush, who qualified for military service as a pilot;
Whereas Navy Pier was the original home to the University of Illinois at Chicago 
        from 1946 to 1965, and more than 100,000 students attended classes 
        during that time;
Whereas, dubbed ``Harvard on the Rocks'', the University shared the space with 
        the Chicago Police Department's Traffic Division, the North Pier 
        Terminal Company, and several military detachments;
Whereas the Pier was designated a Chicago historic landmark in 1977;
Whereas, between 1978 and 1982, Navy Pier was host to ChicagoFest, a summer 
        music festival full of food, fun, and festivities;
Whereas ChicagoFest eventually grew to become the Taste of Chicago, drawing 
        millions of guests to the Pier and spurring millions of dollars in 
        economic impact;
Whereas the Pier reopened in 1995 following a $150 million redevelopment, having 
        improvements made to nearly every aspect of the three-quarter mile long 
        public pier;
Whereas, since that renovation, year-round entertainment, shopping, dining, 
        attractions, and exhibitions have positioned the Pier as one of the most 
        unique settings in the world;
Whereas, in July of 2011, Navy Pier, Inc., the newly formed nonprofit entity 
        entrusted with the operation and redevelopment of Navy Pier, put forth 
        ``The Centennial Vision'', a framework for reimagining Navy Pier as a 
        unique public space and cultural mecca;
Whereas The Centennial Vision's purpose is not only to expand the Pier's 
        audience, but to enrich the experience of its guests;
Whereas The Centennial Vision, divided into two phases, establishes a framework 
        befitting Chicago, a world-class city, with a vibrant architectural, 
        cultural, and recreational landscape and includes a 30-year Sustainable 
        Master Plan to address the Pier's long-term environmental impact;
Whereas accessibility is a fundamental value of The Centennial Vision 
        redevelopment, particularly with respect to the built environment, 
        amenities, public programming, and the overall guest experience;
Whereas equal accessibility for all is a fundamental principle of the Pier's 
        mission and values as a nonprofit organization, the Pier complies and is 
        consistent with the 2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design in all of 
        its redevelopment efforts, and the Pier believes its facilities and 
        programs should be accessible to all guests;
Whereas, with the completion of Phase 1 of The Centennial Vision in 2016, a 
        record 9.26 million guests enjoyed new amenities such as the state-of-
        the-art Centennial Ferris Wheel, a Chicago-centric food experience, the 
        redesigned South Dock Promenade with increased access to the waterfront 
        and recreational boat experiences, and over 245 free public arts and 
        cultural programs;
Whereas the Pier now enters Phase 2 of the redevelopment with extensive plans to 
        upgrade the built environment and Pier structures such as the Family 
        Pavilion and Crystal Garden;
Whereas, in 2017, with the completion of 13-acre Polk Bros Park, the new Chicago 
        Shakespeare Theater, and the expanded Chicago Children's Museum, the 
        Pier projects to see attendance increase by as much as 26 percent as 
        guests enjoy innovative, free public programming, participatory arts, 
        cultural showcases, and the Pier's sustainable recreational footprint;
Whereas the Pier currently employees over 3,000 individuals and is home to 77 
        businesses and 5 nonprofit organizations; and
Whereas the redevelopment is expected to generate 1,565 permanent and 1,659 
        temporary jobs across the city: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
            (1) recognizes Navy Pier as a public community resource and 
        treasured Chicago landmark;
            (2) strongly affirms the goals and purpose of Navy Pier, 
        Inc., as a community partner and nonprofit organization; and
            (3) encourages individuals to visit Navy Pier and 
        participate in the innovative and enriching free programs for 
        the benefit of all and the greater Chicago community.
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