[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 101 (Thursday, June 26, 2014)]
[Senate]
[Page S4165]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 SENATE RESOLUTION 490--COMMEMORATING THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE CAPE 
                            MAY-LEWES FERRY

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

                              S. Res. 490

       Whereas, on September 20, 1962, the 87th 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 50th 
     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 50th Anniversary of the Cape MayLewes 
     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.

                          ____________________