[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 176 (Tuesday, December 1, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2846]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          CELEBRATING A CENTURY WITH THE CHATTANOOGA CHOO-CHOO

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                             HON. ZACH WAMP

                              of tennessee

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, December 1, 2009

  Mr. WAMP. Madam Speaker, I rise today a proud Chattanoogan with the 
distinct privilege of recognizing the 100th anniversary of the world 
famous Chattanooga Choo-Choo. As one of the city's oldest and most 
well-known attractions, the appeal of the Choo-Choo has stood the test 
of time reaching far beyond the banks of the Tennessee River.
  History recalls a bitterly cold winter morning of December 1, 1909, 
as a crowd of several hundred gathered in the 1400 block of Market 
Street for the dedication of Chattanooga's ``Gateway''--Terminal 
Station, and the first train pulled into the station that day. At its 
pinnacle, the depot grew to serve nearly 50 passenger trains a day. 
Over the years, the Choo-Choo has welcomed many honored guests 
including three United States Presidents--Woodrow Wilson, Franklin 
Roosevelt, and my political role model, Theodore Roosevelt.
  This Terminal Station's place in history was literally recorded by 
the Glenn Miller Orchestra in 1941 in the movie Sun Valley Serenade. 
Over the years, those words, ``Pardon me boy . . . is that the 
Chattanooga Choo-Choo,'' have actually become more well known than the 
movie that introduced the Choo-Choo to the world.
  Even though the last train stopped on August 11, 1970, the 
Chattanooga Choo-Choo has thrived as a unique vacation and business 
gathering complex. As part of the Centennial Celebration, the 
Chattanooga Choo-Choo will join the prestigious group of Historic 
Hotels of America as one of HHA's two-hundred plus unique historic 
properties, hotels and inns across the country. This is a remarkable 
accomplishment for a facility that was spared the wrecking ball in 1973 
by a group of local businessmen. In 1974, it was most appropriately 
added to the National Register of Historic Places. The Choo-Choo is a 
great testament to the citizens of Chattanooga who have remained 
committed to preserving our city's history for future generations to 
enjoy.

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