[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 112 (Friday, July 25, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1643]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




INTORDUCTION OF A RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING THE NATIONAL RAILROAD HALL OF 
                      FAME IN GALESBURG, ILLINOIS

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                            HON. LANE EVANS

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, July 25, 2003

  Mr. EVANS. Mr. Speaker, I am here today to introduce a Resolution 
that would recognize the National Railroad Hall in Galesburg, Illinois.
  The American Railroad industry has enjoyed a long history in this 
country. Its impact on the economy, science, technology, national 
defense, and our national lifestyle is immeasurable. For that reason, a 
private group has gathered in Galesburg, Illinois to create a National 
Railroad Hall of Fame. The mission of the Hall of Fame focuses on the 
men and women whose ingenuity and labor built, developed and maintained 
one of our nation's greatest forms of transportation. They are building 
this to remind us of the history of this industry and to inspire us to 
continue the American ingenuity that developed our railroad system.
  For 2001, they introduced the first inductees. The people that they 
recognized were George Pullman, Sanford Fleming, and Louis Menk, all of 
whom provided enormous contributions to the success of the railroad 
industry. Instead of focusing on the founders of the industry, the 
inductees come from three eras in railroad history: Birth & Development 
1800-1865, Golden Era 1866-1945, and Modern Era 1946-Present. In 
highlighting all these periods, the Hall of Fame seeks to show the 
continuing growth of the railroad industry.
  Currently, the National Railroad Hall of Fame in Galesburg is simply 
looking for Congressional recognition. The same thing that they have 
been doing since 1995, when I first introduced this resolution. It is 
high time that we recognize this self-funded, self-directed program for 
the contribution that it is bringing to preserving the history of this 
mighty industry and therefore this nation.

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