As many of you know, I am also a steamboat enthusiast. America's last original overnight Steamboat, the Delta Queen has been docked since November 2008, having run afoul of the Safety for Ships At Sea law. An exemption for her has passed the House, and it is right now going through the Senate. While this is a non-partisan issue, there is a cruise company paying a lobbyist to appose the bill, as they fear competition for the faux paddle wheel boat. WE have no money behind us, just enthusiasm; so we need ALL the support we can find. Following is quoted from the save-the-delta-queen.org site;
Important legislation allowing the DQ to return to overnight service is working its way through the Senate and we urge you all to call or email your Senators urging them to support S. 1022!

We need you to call your two U.S. Senators to tell them that you support the Delta Queen Steamboat. S. 1022 will save the Delta Queen and allow her to operate on inland waterways. Ask them to think of a way to get the Senate to vote on S. 1022, because it will probably pass by a wide margin. It passed the House last year 280 to 89. Call (202) 224-3121.

Again, the time has finally arrived. Call, write, fax, email or stop by your Senator's office right away. Ask all your family and friends to do the same. Last year the House of Representatives approved the bill, so this year if the Senate can pass it, put them together, the House will sign off. The bill will go to the president, and American history will benefit.

Let's work all together and make sure the Senate gets the same message the House did. It's a non-partisan issue.

The text of S. 1022 is actually pretty simple, not a big deal anyway: “To amend title 46, United States Code, to extend the exemption from the fire-retardant materials construction requirement for vessels operating within the Boundary Line.”

Call up your Senators and tell them that you support S. 1022 to preserve a worthy historic boat. If you have a quick personal story, be sure to tell it. Whether you went for a cruise or just waved to the boat from the shore, throw that in.

Also, you may add that having a genuine historic vessel traveling the rivers means something to you, even if you would prefer to travel on a more modern vessel. Like our national parks and open land, it is nice to know it's out there, and thriving.

You can reach your two Senators here: (202) 224-3121. Have their names ready so the switchboard operator can connect you immediately.

Find your two U.S. Senators by state: http://www.senate.gov/

Here is the latest news on efforts to return the Delta Queen to service. The National Trust for Historic Preservation has organized an advocacy campaign to get legislation passed by December 12, 2014.

In addition to calling your Senator as suggested below, please contact Brandon at the Senate Transportation Committee 202-224-0411.

Wesley
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Dear Friend,

We need your help! With Congress adjourning on December 12th, we have a narrow window of opportunity in which to return the historic Delta Queen Steamboat to overnight passenger service. As our country’s last historic steamboat, the Delta Queen is the last link to our nation’s 200 year history of overnight passenger transportation. Legislation that would enable the Delta Queen to sail the Mississippi river system once again has passed the House of Representatives and is pending action in the Senate.

Time is running out this legislative session, so please urge your senators to support advancing S. 2924 before the 113th Congress comes to a close. Please call your Senators today via the Capitol Switchboard (202) 224-3121 and help us return the Delta Queen to our nation’s waterways.

Thank you for letting your senators know that their leadership in saving the Delta Queen and our maritime history is important!

Sincerely,

Your friends at the National Trust

P.S. For more information about the Delta Queen and our campaign to save this National Treasure, visit http://savingplaces.org/treasures/delta-queen.

Your action is needed immediately, there are only 5 days left to get the legislation passed. The bill has been revised, and is now known as S-2924. Please call your senators and Brandon at the Transportation committee to get this bill out of committee and passed!
The boat's future depends on this, as doe the continuance of over 200 years of Overnight Steamboating on the American Inland Waterways.

Keep it up. Jay Rockefeller is retiring and a lot of pro-steam folks are leaving at the end of the session.

They aren't going to do anything during the remainder of this session that isn't critical.
You would have a lot better chance by waiting until the next session starts in a few weeks, with all the new people in there with (hopefully, but not probably) clearer minds.
Mark D.

If we wait until the next session, we will have to start all over again with getting a bill through the house AND the Senate. It's already passed the house, so pushing the Senate right now is the best bet we have to get the Boat into Dry Dock and ready to run again next year. A quick phone call is all we ask!! BTW, Senator Rockefeller's First District office (who seems to still be answering the phones) is 304-284-8506; if he won't let it out of committee, it won't get voted on. When asked where I was from, I told them, and added that with his position as chairman of the Transportation committee, his actions affect the entire US. The staff person agreed with me and promised to note my message.

Best to push now to save effort. Maybe it can be attached as a rider to one of the bills that's going through. That's how it was done in the past.

Yep.

Also, need to get it exempted from new ADA requirements that will require nearly a
total rebuild of the boat if enforced on it.

Pre-existing & National Register Status pretty much takes care of the ADA issue. Installing a lift (elevator) would make major structural and visual changes to the boat, also widening doorways would change too much too.
FIRST we get her permission to RUN!!!
:)