[Jo Ann Schoen]

Folks, Some of us have been working behind the scenes getting ready for the BIG push for the exemption for the DELTA QUEEN after this health care bill thing was finished. Packets of information have been mailed to most Senators. They should be arriving within the next couple of weeks. (Some will even be hand delivered).

As you know Representative Baron Hill from Indiana tried to get an amendment on the Coast Guard Authorization Bill at the last minute at the end of October. The Rules Committee did not allow it. But his office told us that we had a good chance of getting it attached when the Bill went to the Senate. This is Senate Bill # 1194. As mentioned they had been quite busy before the Christmas break.

Congress will not be back in session until January 19th. Therefore the Senators are home, but the office staff in Washington are in. We have been told that phone calls is a good measuring tool for interest in supporting the exemption for the DELTA QUEEN.

I can't stress enough that NOW is the time to help make a difference. Plus we've talked about a "phone tree". This could work very well. You contact everyone you know and ask them to contact everyone they know to make THEIR call!

If phone calls don't work for you or your other contacts, please write, fax or email your interest in this exemption. With unemployment still high and small business struggling running the boats again would certainly help that situation in these little river towns and the crew that was let go last year, many of whom are still unemployed.

Calling your Senator's Washington office would be best, but if you are more comfortable calling their local state office that is fine. If you happen to know someone in any of these offices, a face to face conversation with them would be even better. Going the extra mile for the DELTA QUEEN is a small task.

That being said, there is other work that can be done besides the above. If anyone is interested in doing more than making a couple phone calls please email me through steamboats.org.

Remember any of the boats running would be helpful, so in conversation mention that as well. However, we are using Friends of the DELTA QUEEN this campaign. Feel free to use that when making your calls.

AGAIN N - O - W is the time to act! Help SAVE THE DELTA QUEEN!!!!

Never give up hope. I still dream that she will run again someday.

THANK YOU, thank you, thank you.
Jo Ann Schoen