Delta Queen_Robert Blomberg LetterSeptember 27, 2007
The Honorable Roy D. Buol
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Dear Mayor Buol: ~ ~
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I grew up in the Quad Cities, and that is where I learned to love the river and its history.
The Delta Queen has been a big part of our river heritage for a long time. She is as
familiar a sight on the river as the Gateway Arch and the flotillas of barge tows that help
feed our nation. She is the last true packet boat of the type that helped open the West.
The fate of this great piece of American heritage is now being threatened by several
congressmen who wish never to bring a further exemption for the Delta Queen from the
Safety at Sea Act to the attention of Congress. Since 1968, the Delta Queen has operated
with an exemption from the Safety at Sea Act, a law that was enacted with sea-going
vessels in mind, but has little to do with river craft like the Delta Queen. The exemption
has been renewed six times with overwhelming support. The Coast Guard, in whom we
place our trust to ensure our vessels' safety, has without fail, considered the Delta Queen
safe and reliable in its inspections. She has safely transported President Jimmy Carter,
numerous celebrities, the international delegates to the United Nations organizational
conferences, and thousands of our sailors during World War II.
Enclosed is a sample resolution that I humbly request you consider adding to your city
council's agenda. It can, of course, be edited to suit your personal tastes. Resolutions
such as this have already been passed, or are being considered, by the councils of river
towns like yours, including Cattletsburg, Kentucky, Bridgeport, Alabama, and Marietta,
Ohio. Our congressmen and senators need to know that our heritage is important enough
for them to discuss fully. I am proud to be part of a grass-roots effort to save the Delta
Queen; without her, the river would be a lonelier place. Thank you for your kind
consideration.
Sincerely,
b~~~~ ~, ~
Robert Blomberg
4001 7~' Avenue
Kenosha, Wisconsin 53140
(262) 654-4368
www.saue-the-delta-queen.org
A Resolution
Of the City Council of Dubuque, Iowa, expressing the Sense of the Council and its Aldermen
urging Congress to provide for the permanent exemption of the Steamer Delta Queen from
the provisions of the Safety of Life at Sea Act of 1966.
WHEREAS, The Delta Queen is an important part of the culture of the Mississippi River
region; and
WHEREAS, She is a national treasure, being listed on the National Register of Historic places
and is a National Historic Landmark; and
WHEREAS, The Delta Queen is a part of history. Literary people, theatrical people, rulers,
and presidents have ridden on her. To board the vessel is like stepping back into time, and
its beautiful antiques are museum quality; and
WHEREAS, The Delta Queen is an original and the last of her kind, a work of art, a
sternwheel overnight passenger steamboat like those that helped foster the westward
expansion of our nation; and
WHEREAS, The Safety at Sea Act was written to apply to ocean going vessels and assumes
that ships are remote from land and other vessels. The Delta Queen can be landed in
minutes over the entire route she traverses; and
WHEREAS, The Safety at Sea Act requires inflammable material for the construction of
boats, many layers of fire-retardant paint over the years as well as state of the art fire
suppression systems protect the wooden superstructure of the Delta Queen well; and
WHEREAS, The Delta Queen contributes economically to river communities. There are many
employees on the boat itself, passengers who spend money in river towns and people on
shore who support this boat, both within the corporate ownership and at third party
companies providing amenities; and
WHEREAS, It would be a travesty to restrict her travels and deny the public the opportunity
to enjoy this uniquely American experience for many generations to come; and
WHEREAS, The very existence of the Delta Queen is now threatened with the expiration of
her exemption from the Safety at Sea Act in 2008:
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that this City Council and its Aldermen encourage the
Congress of the United States to act with all due haste to provide for the permanent
exemption of this magnificent vessel from the provisions of the Safety at Sea Act. The City
Council of Dubuque, Iowa will ensure delivery of copies of this resolution to all members of
the Iowa Congressional Delegation.
Done at Dubuque, Iowa, this day of , 2007.