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 Roo-
sevelt 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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•HRES 1497 IH 
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 Na-
tional Register of Historic places as ‘‘a historical land-
mark of great importance which must be preserved’’; 
Whereas in 1968, in preparation for the Nation’s bicenten-
nial, 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 leg-
islation was introduced by Senators Daniel Moynihan, 
Jennings Randolph, Robert Stafford, and Bob Packwood 
to return Union Station to its original use as a transpor-
tation 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 oper-
ating railroad station, to restore the architectural and 
historical elements of the structure, to explore collabora-
tion with the private sector in the commercial develop-
ment of the station, and to withdraw the Federal Govern-
ment from active management of the station; 
Whereas a partnership was formed between the Federal Gov-
ernment and Union Station Venture Ltd.; 
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•HRES 1497 IH 
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 inau-
gural balls, citywide celebrations, and world-class exhibi-
tions 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 
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•HRES 1497 IH 
(3) encourages the people of the United States 
to continue to visit and learn about Union Station 
and its storied history. 
Æ 
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