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Opinion:  Editorial

God Save the Queen.MAK Desk: Opinion

Sunday, April 27, 2008 7:53 PM EDT Print this story | Email this story
Could this summer be the last for the majestic Delta Queen to ply the waters of the Ohio River and for those of us in this area to take pleasure in watching the historic boat paddle past our riverfront communities?

Sadly, it is very likely that will be the case after the U.S. House of Representatives rejected an amended to legislation that would have given the Queen an exemption to a ban for overnight cruises on boats with wooden structures. Nine times in the past, Congress has seen fit to give the Queen a pass. This time, no free pass was extended, thanks mostly to Minnesota Democrat and chairman of the powerful Transportation Committee, Rep. Jim Oberstar who considers the boat a fire hazard. In the end, the amendment failed 208-195.

Representatives from our area, including Rep. Jean Schmidt and Rep. Steve Cabot of Ohio along with Rep. Geoff Davis of Kentucky made every effort to secure passage of the amendment which was designed primarily to address fire concerns on ocean-going vessels. Joining them in voting in favor of the amendment were Reps. Ben Chandler, Ron Lewis, Hal Rogers and Ed Whitfield, all of Kentucky and Reps. John Boehner, David Hobson, Jim Jordan, Robert Latta, Ralph Regula, Pat Tiberi, Michael Turner and Charles Wilson, all of Ohio. Turning a thumbs down to the amendment were Ohio Reps. Stephanie Jones, Marcy Kaptur, Dennis Kucinich, Steven LaTurette, Tim Ryan, Zachary Space and Betty Sutton. Kentucky Rep. John Yarmuth and Ohio Rep. Deborah Pryce did not vote.

In making its decision not to extend the exemption, Congress ignored a grassroots effort that spawned several Web sites devoted to saving the Delta Queen, petitions signed by thousands and resolutions of support from towns and cities up and down the river. And while this legislation is certainly not the most important representatives will address this year or next or the year after that, it is something that means a lot to us.

For those of us who live along the river, the sight of the Delta Queen approaching with its calliope playing and passengers gathered along the decks is a part of our heritage, an iconic moment to store in our memories. It is sad to know that for future generations, those memories will not be made.

With an expiration date of Nov. 1, the boat named a National Historic Landmark may very well go to dry-dock by year's end, an undignified ending to the reign of the beautiful Delta Queen and a disappointing outcome for those of us who recall her paddling up the river in what we now know were her glory days.

Reader Comments

Comments are limited to 200 words or less.

bobby wrote on Jul 13, 2008 9:31 AM:

" GOD save the queen. "

Jo Ann Schoen wrote on May 1, 2008 2:12 PM:

" PLEASE have your friends and relatives in areas mentioned where the Representative did not vote for the exemption to call those Representatives and express their disappointment and that when it gets on the floor again for a vote that they vote in favor of it. Thank you. "

Nori Muster wrote on May 1, 2008 1:36 PM:

" There is still time to save the Delta Queen. Tell your elected officials you love the boat and want them to work together this year to preserve this national treasure and living history landmark. "


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