Howdy, and a Good Sunday morning to you all.  In our local newspaper it was decided to join the band wagon for a nice newspaper story, but not too full as the last time.  Our city wants to show continued support.  If you read the entries from folks who join the blog of a news story you will see some strong, strong support to save the Delta Queen and how they already are trying to make contact with some  of the Legislators.  The story is "Saving the Delta Queen"  in the website www.evansvillecourierpressonline.   It was a nicely done story.  This reporter did the news story when the Natchez came into town and he loves river boats. 

Yep, our  Indiana House Representative Brad Ellsworth will join in co-signing the House bill, HR3852.  At the time, when he wrote me that he would be looking into this issue, at that time I wanted him to possibly write up this bill.  From a tone in his letter to me, I felt that it wasn't the time, but, really, it was the time.  So, this guy could have written up the bill to Save the Delta Queen, and in the entries from the newspaper responses you will even see someone mentioned they 'knew' he should have written up this bill.  It is great that someone else eventually did write it up, but in our part of the country, we knew it should have been us. 

So, from here on in, after I talk to Indiana House Representative Brad Ellsworth, I'll know what we will do to help get more folks to sign on and how.  I believe that our Senators will step up, as will anyone in Kentucky to write up anything in the Senate, as those folks have already been contacted.  So, we'll use the same kind of savvy for making contact with the nations several large national newspapers that got the support for the Delta Queen.  Our state of Indiana will be noticed.  I like that several folks from the state of Missouri, overlooking I'm sure St. Louis, Mo, in being a part of the early co-signing of the bill co-sponsors.  This is great.

The race is on, the fight is civil, and we're going to go across the finish line.  Lets save the Delta Queen, but also wish the best for the boat and its way to keep the history and heritage it represents in tack.  Lets keep making contact with the Legislators and keep this issue in their faces and on their minds.  Keep in there.  Mary

For many press news releases I've sent nationally, statewide, and in our city of Evansville, Indiana, I put in each one the statement that I liken the Delta Queen to be like a floating 'Statute of Liberty'.  That is right.  The strength, the quiet strength of a grand old dame.  She watches over her dominion with power, with confidence, and with a keen eye to the future.  The Delta Queen holds that same aura.  At least to me.

There is dignity in that river boat that people aspire to, even when they are not such folk.  It is like coming to the holy grail for many, it is their refuge from whatever strikes friction in their lives, it is a steady in a world of much change.

I'm from Evansville, Indiana.  I know about our History here.  I am acutely aware.  You see, some may fight me, some may slander me, but each one of those folks listen to me when I can achieve something that others can not.  I've even been called a "Queen", a "Princess" at times, for several decades.  I can even run for Mayor if I so chose.  Alas, I've been called it all, actually.  And, in some humbling situations  I even have to just wave it off as things change ever so fast.

What I want you to know is that our whole Ohio River Region is fascinated with river boats.  Sure, we have our skunks, even in my town.  They can't help their disease sometimes.  Their issues.  But, when it comes down to the real nitty gritty, we are as united as anything you'll ever see.  And, we're united that the Delta Queen is our boat, America's boat, is the Grand Dame she is.  Our city was number one in river traffic in the early 1900's to late 1920's in our world.  Not the block, not the neighborhood, not the river down the way.  Our area was number one in the world in river traffic and in steamboats/riverboats.  We were number one. 

True, in life, today, we don't have the proper docking as we should.  But, a newfound interest in another umpteenth study our city coughs up, is dead on.  A study for a new harbor for river traffic.  Our Vanderburgh County Commission President is coming around with ideas to improve one of our better boat ramps to use for upcoming river boat guests.  Plus, our Port of Evansville is for sale and that can generate an exciting docking area our city needs.  You, see eventually, Tell City, Indiana will be the largest harbor in two years or so with 800 acres minimally used on this project.  Yes, Indiana.  Like it or lump it, this will happen.  Next to them Owensboro, Kentucky, with $45 million dollars renovations of their river front and adding all sort of docking options, well, will blow folks out of the water.  So, that part of the Ohio River, will be unbelievable.  Yes, we were number one in river boats in our country a hundred years ago. 

At this juncture, we're rebuilding, reshaping, and I must tell you now, that our southern Indiana and western Kentucky Ohio River region could have mustered more than 30 folks to a news conference.  We get that opening businesses in town.  SO, don't think we're rolling over, don't think we're not going to be big folks in town to contend with on river boats.  Get that out of your minds right now.  We are going to come through, we are going to pound the way for more river boating in this part of the United States.  And, you know what.  We are going to be heard.  Because we are a united Ohio River waterway.  Yep, we count the Delta Queen our boat as we know our history along the Ohio River.  And, ya' know what, we're not going anywhere.  Mary

Howdy,  I'm doing this in response to a blurb I found on the entry by Jo Ann Schoen.  My contacts so far to our Indiana Governor, Mitch Daniels and to Senator Richard Lugar's office has been positive so far.  The aide in our Evansville, In, office immediately on Friday within five minutes of my first phone call emailed Washington, D.C. of my request to consider sponsoring a Senate bill if it passes in the House.  I've kept our Lt. Governor Becky Skillman aware of my river boat interests for the past three years and is my best state supporter for politicians.  She rocks.

I got an email today from the Governor Mitch Daniels office that they emailed Senator Lugar's office and expect me to get a call from that office soon.  Even the campaign manager of our Governor emailed me that things have been passed in the proper channels to see if Senator Richard Lugar will help on this.  Now, Jo Ann, if you contacted Senator Evan Bayh's office, I would imagine you would get a cold ear.  The Democrats in our city is the same way for river boats.  They like the LST 325, but riverboats can be a different story.  My contact in our city is our President of the Vanderburgh County Commission Bill Nix and he wants to help river boats, likes riverboats, and already ready to clear land and brush to help bring in more riverboats to a better looking boat ramp at marker 797  1/2.  You won't find that with Democrats in our city.  Even after Katrina, even though Senator Bayh's office mentioned that it would be two weeks before I heard from anyone in New Orleans, LA, which was useful information, it was accurate.  Past that, zip.  Our Republicans in our state offices understand the importance of river boats. I know that.

 Senator Richard Lugar's office was helpful, insightful, and was fair after Katrina.  In this Delta Queen situation, I got even more help from Senator Lugar's office.  So, please don't count out our Indiana folks when so many state offices are already trying to make things happen.  Our Evansville, In, city media is doing its part:  newpaper story soon, radio interviews, and not sure yet what any TV station is doing, usually Fox 7 TV News does something.  So far, there is going to be a lot of news stories done about this vote coming for the Delta Queen Exemption.  We are the third largest city in our Indiana state. Our media reach is one hour radius and some see us further than that.   We are a balanced Tristate area and we reach out to all of our three state residents as they reach out to our city.  

Jo Ann Schoen, you have done wonders and your passion is remarkable.  It is passion that will make things happen on this issue.  If each of us only does our part, no matter the time or size of input, you will be surprised how much can be done.  I've contacted the Washington Post newspaper in Washington, D.C. and hope they do a news story, just like I did with the Wall St. Journal and NY Times newspapers but haven't seen anything yet from them.  Our state of Indiana is just now moving on things.  What will happen, what will they do, who knows.  But, at this point, folks are in motion and we're not letting anyone get in the way. 

 I'll do what I can to convince Senator Richard Lugar and who knows, maybe Senator Mitch McConnell from Kentucky can help out.  He's the one who got Owensboro and Henderson, Ky money for their river fronts.  I've contacted his office and asked two cities in that state to do so also. 

Everyone, do what you can, as each letter, each call, each sign, everything adds up.  Keep in there.  We all have the passion for the Delta Queen---lets show them in this way, and see what happens to the "Save the Delta Queen" campaign.  Mary K. Hukill, Evansville, Indiana

Howdy, golly, in last mention, I forgot to tell you what city along our riverfront will have a $1.5 million dollar plus water fountain......it is Owensboro, Kentucky.  Yep, Senator Mitch McConnell got them a heap of money to renovate the place and they are using it to a great advantage.  So, in about two years, they are eight months behind schedule, you Queen series cruisers will see a spectacular fountain along the river front. And, see what $1.5 million dollars plus buys in a fountain.  Mary

Howdy, golly, great news about the new House Bill.  Heck, I could have and should have asked that of our House Rep. Brad Ellsworth.  Oh, well, but I didn't miss that opportunity with our state Indiana Senator Richard Lugar or Senator Mitch McConnell from Kentucky.  I sure did call and email these guys.  Plus, asked our Indiana Lt. Governor Becky Skillman to help with getting the word to Senator Richard Lugar to help with a Senate bill if the House bill passed.   I asked Senator McConnell's office also.  We want in this, don't be counting our states in the Ohio River region out!!

I'm sure that the media here will get the word out....they love broadcasting anything about the Delta Queen.  So, count our area in.  All of the offices I mentioned had also emailed the Delta Queen exemption information to folks. 

Two months ago, I mentioned this Delta Queen situation with the Deputy Commerce Secretary, David A. Sampson, who I went to grade school and high school with and he passed the information to me of the area of our country that helps with Economic Development.  Our Ohio River Region is ripe for being a large entity for our country with all of the revitalization of the river fronts and new harbors being either built or studied.  I keep pushing for more river boats here and more interest in better docking and marinas in the southern Indiana and western Kentucky area.   I've kept David Sampson aware of what changes, differences are being made in the river region. 

 Wait til you all on any of the Queen series eventually sees the $1.5 million plus water fountain that will grace their river front when completed in two years.  It will be from the designers of the Belagio folks in Las Vegas, NV.  It will be spectacular to cruise the Ohio River and see this magnificent water fountain.  

So, Indiana is beating a path to this Delta Queen event.  Don't count our state out.  We're going to be tough, compete well to get the word out, and we're going to be strong.  Our area was number one in the world for river traffic in the early 1900's and in river boats and I'm striving to make our Ohio River region one of the best in the nation to visit and cruise.  Our Ohio River Region is taking it on!!  Thanks,  Mary Hukill,  Evansville, Indiana