Legislative Issues
Historic Madison, Indiana has welcomed thousands of visitors annually from the Delta Queen on a regular basis. These visitors spend money in Madison and many of them return to Madison and bring their family and friends. The Delta Queen provides economic development opportunities to our Historic Rivertown.
Click here to read Madison City Council Resolution 1-2008
According to the Indianapolis Star, "The 285-foot vessel, designated a National Historic Landmark in 1989, is caught up in a partisan battle in Congress that could end its 81-year reign this year...Officially, the sticking point is the Delta Queen's wood superstructure, which requires an exemption from the federal Safety of Life at Sea Law. The 1966 law mandates that boats carrying more than 50 passengers on overnight trips be built of fire-retardant material. Behind the scenes, though, Delta Queen advocates say the fight likely has more to do with a move by the boat's owner, Ambassadors International, to eliminate its unionized crew in 2006"
(Source: Indianapolis Star, 7/7/08).
The Delta Queen has received Congressional Exemption from the 1966 Safety of Life at Sea Law (Public Law 89-777) nine times since 1968.
Please contact Indiana's U.S Senators Evan Bayh and Richard Lugar and ask them to support legislation in the U.S. Senate to grant the Delta Queen an exemption.
