[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 145 (1999), Part 5]
[Senate]
[Pages 7509-7510]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



 SENATE RESOLUTION 86--SUPPORTING THE NATIONAL RAILROAD HALL OF FAME, 
                      INC. OF GALESBURG, ILLINOIS

  Mr. DURBIN (for himself and Mr. Fitzgerald) submitted the following 
resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, 
and Transportation:

                               S. Res. 86

       Whereas Galesburg, Illinois, has a profound link to the 
     history of railroading beginning in 1849 when the Peoria and 
     Oquawka Railroad organized;
       Whereas the citizens of Galesburg supported a railroad to 
     Chicago which was chartered as the Central Military Tract 
     Railroad in 1851;

[[Page 7510]]

       Whereas Galesburg and Chicago were joined by rail in 1854; 
     as a result of this union, the Northern Cross Railroad joined 
     the Central Military Tract Railroad at Galesburg;
       Whereas in 1886 Galesburg secured the Atchison, Topeka, and 
     Santa Fe Railway and became one of the few places in the 
     world to possess 2 mega-powers of the railroad industry;
       Whereas the National Railroad Hall of Fame, Inc. has been 
     established in Galesburg and has reserved the name ``National 
     Railroad Hall of Fame'' with the Secretary of the State of 
     Illinois;
       Whereas the National Railroad Hall of Fame, Inc. is 
     organized and incorporated as a not-for-profit organization 
     under the laws of Illinois;
       Whereas the National Railroad Hall of Fame, Inc. filed a 
     service mark registration with the Commissioner of Patents 
     and Trademarks of the United States, covering the name and 
     logo of the organization;
       Whereas the National Railroad Hall of Fame, Inc. has 
     applied for a charter under the State of Illinois;
       Whereas the objectives of the National Railroad Hall of 
     Fame, Inc. include--
       (1) perpetuating the memory of leaders and innovators in 
     the railroad industry;
       (2) fostering, promoting, and encouraging a better 
     understanding of the origins and growth of railroads, 
     especially in the United States; and
       (3) establishing and maintaining a library and collection 
     of documents, reports, and other items of value to contribute 
     to the education of future railroad students; and
       Whereas the National Railroad Hall of Fame, Inc. has 
     resolved to erect a monument known as the National Railroad 
     Hall of Fame to honor men and women who actively participated 
     in the founding and development of the railroad industry in 
     the United States: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate supports the National Railroad 
     Hall of Fame, Inc., of Galesburg, Illinois, in its endeavor 
     to erect a monument known as the National Railroad Hall of 
     Fame.

  Mr. DURBIN. Mr. President, I rise today on behalf of myself and my 
colleague, Senator Peter Fitzgerald, to submit a resolution in support 
of the establishment of the National Railroad Hall of Fame in 
Galesburg, Illinois.
  The state of Illinois has played a pioneering role in the growth of 
the railroad industry. In 1849, the Peoria and Oquawka Railroad was 
organized. The city of Galesburg joined Chicago by rail six years later 
in 1854. In addition, the Carl Sandburg College of Galesburg was one of 
the first colleges to establish an educational curriculum in 
railroading.
  This privately-funded museum will help promote and encourage a better 
understanding of the origins and growth of the railroad industry. It 
will also highlight the efforts of men and women whose hard work and 
resourcefulness helped build one of the nation's best modes of 
transportation.
  Already, the Illinois General Assembly, with the unqualified support 
of our state's new governor, George Ryan, has passed a resolution 
similar to the one I am introducing today. This resolution is also 
supported by major railways, railroad organizations, and rail employee 
organizations. Nineteen members of the House of Representatives have 
cosponsored an identical measure in the House. Approval by the Senate 
will be one more step toward establishing this museum.
  Mr. President, I urge the Senate to pass this resolution in a timely 
fashion so that we can properly honor the railroad industry and its 
many pioneers.

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