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Mail 2293 2115 Summit Avenue Saint Paul, MN 55105 October 1, 2007 Hastings City Council Hastings City Hall 101 4~' Street East Hastings, MN 55033 Dear Hastings City Council: The city of Hastings has a long and rich history which is intima#ely connected to the Mississippi River. This river, its people, and the boats which have plied these waters have played a vital part in the development of Hastings over the years, and they will continue to do so into the future. Unfortunately, a vital link in this river connection is being threatened with extinction in November 2008. The Delta Queen, America's last classic, authentic overnight passenger sternwheel steamboat, which has operated safely and successfully for eighty years on rivers in America's heartland and on rivers in California, will be required to cease operation when her current exemption from the 1966 Safety at Sea Law expires next year. This law contains provisions, originally drafted for American vessels carrying fifty or more overnight passengers, to be of fireproof construction throughout, a law which was designed for ocean-going vessels, and which unknowingly caught the Delta Queen simply because she was the sole overnight passenger vessel remaining on America's rivers. Recognizing the unique nature of both the boat and her operation, Congress authorized exemptions for the Delta Queen from the provisions of that law, in part due to the groundswell of public support for the boat back in 1970. This historic vessel, one-of-a-kind, and a national treasure, has been operating under Congressional extensions since that time. The current Congress, however, seems inclined to grant no future extensions. It should be emphasized here that the vessel has been renovated and updated over those years to make her as safe as it is possible to make her while maintaining her traditional design. ~ Although she has a double steel hull, her upper decks are crafted of oak, cedar, teak, and mahogany. Contrary to the opinion of some uninformed observers however, the boat is not a "firetrap", but has been updated with safeguards, equipment, special coatings, and on-going crew training and inspection by government officials. To outlaw the operation of this historic, living link to the great steamboats which helped settle this part of our nation and your city, would be an irreparable loss. As a result, concerned citizens and friends of the Delta Queen are once more asking for help in the boat's hour of need. Attached is a resolution which we submit for your consideration, endorsement and forwarding to the Congressional de ~o~ n~ OC T 0 3 2007