CHAPTER 212 SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION No. 1624 A Concurrent Resolution designating the former Union Pacific Railroad station in
Topeka, which is being transformed into the Great Overland Station, as a state railroad
museum of Kansas.
      WHEREAS,  The State of Kansas has a rich railroad heritage which
includes the birth and growth of the Santa Fe Railway, participation in
the Union Pacific's effort to build the first transcontinental railroad, and
the site of important rail lines for the Missouri Pacific, Rock Island, Mis-
souri Kansas Texas (KATY) and other railroad companies; and

      WHEREAS,  The railroads were instrumental in the development of
our state, especially in recruiting many of the first settlers to Kansas.
Those settlers established agriculture as a primary industry in Kansas and
brought with them the red winter wheat which historically has been a
mainstay of our economy. The railroads created thousands of jobs in Kan-
sas, and they remain a major source of employment in our state. The story
of the railroads' contributions to the development of our state has been
largely untold, and many of today's generation have little knowledge or
appreciation of the railroads importance in our history; and

      WHEREAS,  Topeka's Union Pacific Station opened on January 27,
1927, an historic and celebratory event for the community. Designed by
renowned architect Gilbert Stanley Underwood, the beautiful Union Pa-
cific passenger station was reported to be ``one of the finest passenger
stations on the line'' when it opened. The Union Pacific Railroad Station
in Topeka, now known as the Great Overland Station, is listed on the
Register of Historic Kansas Places and has been nominated for listing on
the National Historic Register. The station stands as a symbol of an ex-
traordinary era in America's history, a period of great industrial and cul-
tural expansion which mirrored the optimism and hope of the American
people. It served as the hub for transportation and industry, and the
activities of the community passed through this station; and

      WHEREAS,  Transformed into the Great Overland Station, the once-
proud building will become the symbol of a new era of vitality and vision.
The historic site contains stories of our early history, stories of the Kaw
Indians, French-Canadian traders, Oregon Trail pioneers, Underground
Railroad freedom seekers, rowdy frontier characters and hometown hero
Charles Curtis. Connecting that history with railroad heritage represented
at the station will provide visitors with a knowledge and appreciation of
the deep and colorful roots of our state and validate the contributions of
the many individuals from all ethnic and social backgrounds who came
together to create our State; and

      WHEREAS,  The legacy of railroads in Kansas will be enhanced by the
renovation of this historic station: Now, therefore,

      Be it resolved by the Senate of the State of Kansas, the House of Rep-
resentatives concurring therein: That the Great Overland Station in To-
peka is hereby designated as a state railroad museum of Kansas; and

      Be it further resolved: That the Secretary of State provide an enrolled
copy of this resolution to Richard Davidson, Chairman, Union Pacific
Railroad Company, 1416 Dodge Street, Omaha, Nebraska 68179; John
Glassman, Executive Director, Great Overland Station, 701 North Kansas
Avenue, Topeka, Kansas 66609; Harry ``Butch'' Felker, Mayor, City of
Topeka, 215 Southeast 7th Street, Topeka, Kansas 66603; Ramon Powers,
Executive Director, Kansas Historical Society, 6425 Southwest 6th Street,
Topeka, Kansas 66615; and Beth Fager, Campaign Director, Great
Overland Station, 3320 Southwest Spring Creek Place, Topeka, Kansas
66614.

 Adopted by the House April 12, 2002.
Adopted by the Senate
April 13, 2002.
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