IV 

110TH CONGRESS 

2D SESSION H. RES. 1497 

Celebrating the 100th anniversary of the completion of Washington DC’s 

Union Station. 

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 

SEPTEMBER 24, 2008 

Ms. NORTON submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the 

Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure 

RESOLUTION 

Celebrating the 100th anniversary of the completion of 

Washington DC’s Union Station. 

Whereas, on February 28, 1903, President Theodore Roosevelt signed into law the act entitled ‘‘An Act to provide 

a union station in the District of Columbia, and for other 

purposes’’; 

Whereas Daniel Burnham, a noted Chicago architect, was 

chosen to design Washington DC’s Union Station; 

Whereas Burnham created Union Station in the Beaux-Arts 

style, designed after the Baths of Caracalla and 

Diocletian; 

Whereas the construction of Union Station was completed in 

1908; 


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Whereas at the time of Union Station’s opening, it covered 

more ground than any other building in the United 

States and was the largest railroad station in the world; 

Whereas in 1964, Union Station was designated by the National Register of Historic places as ‘‘a historical landmark of great importance which must be preserved’’; 

Whereas in 1968, in preparation for the Nation’s bicentennial, the decision was made to transform the building 

into a National Visitor Center, which opened on July 4, 

1976; 

Whereas in 1981, the National Visitor Center closed and legislation was introduced by Senators Daniel Moynihan, 

Jennings Randolph, Robert Stafford, and Bob Packwood 

to return Union Station to its original use as a transportation center; 

Whereas Congress passed the Union Station Redevelopment 

Act of 1981 and the Department of Transportation was 

charged with developing a plan that would enable Union 

Station to financially support its continued operation; 

Whereas in 1983, Secretary of Transportation Elizabeth Dole 

created the Union Station Redevelopment Corporation to 

oversee the development of Union Station into an operating railroad station, to restore the architectural and 

historical elements of the structure, to explore collaboration with the private sector in the commercial development of the station, and to withdraw the Federal Government from active management of the station; 

Whereas a partnership was formed between the Federal Government and Union Station Venture Ltd.; 


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Whereas the renovation and restoration of Union Station 

began on August 13, 1986, with the ringing of an old 

train bell, and took 2 years; 

Whereas the restoration of Union Station was the largest 

public-private restoration project accomplished in the 

United States, totaling $160,000,000; 

Whereas the grand reopening was held on September 29, 

1988; 

Whereas Union Station has more than 210,000 square feet 

of retail space, including 50,000 square feet of restaurant 

space, 100,000 square feet of office space, and a 2,194 

space parking garage; 

Whereas Union Station has been the site of presidential inaugural balls, citywide celebrations, and world-class exhibitions and events; 

Whereas the redeveloped Union Station spurred tremendous 

economic growth along the H Street corridor, Capitol 

Hill, and in the surrounding neighborhood, and 20 years 

later, the growth continues; 

Whereas 32,000,000 people visit Union Station annually; and 

Whereas Union Station is the number one tourist destination 

in Washington, DC: Now, therefore, be it 

1 Resolved, That the House of Representatives— 

2 (1) celebrates the 100th year anniversary of 

3 Washington DC’s Union Station; 

4 (2) applauds the efforts of the people who 

5 worked to preserve this national treasure; and 


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1 (3) encourages the people of the United States 

2 to continue to visit and learn about Union Station 

3 and its storied history. 

Æ 


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