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[Congressional Bills 110th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 1497 Introduced in House (IH)]

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;
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.;
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
    Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
            (1) celebrates the 100th year anniversary of Washington 
        DC's Union Station;
            (2) applauds the efforts of the people who worked to 
        preserve this national treasure; and
            (3) encourages the people of the United States to continue 
        to visit and learn about Union Station and its storied history.
                                 <all>
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