[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 148 (2002), Part 9]
[Senate]
[Page 12389]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




 SENATE RESOLUTION 301--SUPPORTING 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 (for himself and Mr. Fitzgerald) submitted the following 
resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, 
and Transportation:

                              S. Res. 301

       Whereas Galesburg, Illinois, has been linked to the history 
     of railroading since 1849 when the Peoria and Oquawka 
     Railroad was organized;
       Whereas the citizens of Galesburg supported a railroad to 
     Chicago which was chartered as the Central Military Tract 
     Railroad in 1851;
       Whereas upon completion of the Central Military Tract 
     Railroad, 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 served by 2 major railroads;
       Whereas the National Railroad Hall of Fame, Inc., has been 
     established in Galesburg and chartered under the laws of the 
     State of Illinois as a not-for-profit corporation;
       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 all persons interested in 
     railroading; and
       Whereas the National Railroad Hall of Fame, Inc., is 
     planning to erect a monument known as the National Railroad 
     Hall of Fame to honor the 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 to submit a resolution with 
my colleague, Senator Peter Fitzgerald, in support of the establishment 
of the National Railroad Hall of Fame in Galesburg, IL.
  The State of Illinois has played a pioneering role in the growth of 
the railroad industry. The history of Illinois railroading dates back 
to 1837 with the creation of the Northern Cross Railroad linking the 
Illinois and Mississippi Rivers. The city of Galesburg joined Chicago 
by rail seventeen years later in 1854. The Carl Sandburg College of 
Galesburg is today the home of the first accredited railroad degree 
program.
  So it is only natural that the National Railroad Hall of Fame would 
be established in Galesburg. This privately-funded museum will 
highlight the efforts of men and women whose hard work and 
resourcefulness helped build one of the nation's best modes of 
transportation. It will also help promote and encourage a better 
understanding of the origins and growth of the railroad industry. The 
vision of the National Railroad Hall of Fame will span more than two 
centuries, from the dawn of the American railroad, through the Golden 
Age of railroading, and up through the modern era, in which railroads 
remain a critical aspect of the transportation industry. The museum 
will also be a center of learning and debate, as well as a library of 
historical materials.
  Fourteen members of the House of Representatives have brought forward 
an identical measure in that chamber. Approval by the Senate will be an 
important step toward the erection of this monument. I urge the Senate 
to adopt this resolution in a timely fashion so that we can properly 
honor the railroad industry and its many pioneers.

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