Introduced Version





SENATE CONCURRENT

RESOLUTION No. 5





DIGEST OF INTRODUCED RESOLUTION



        A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION urging the Indiana Department of Natural Resources to include in its budget the necessary funds to help finance the expansion of the Falls of the Ohio State Park Interpretive Center.



Lewis




    January 8, 2008, read first time and referred to Committee on Natural Resourses.








Introduced

Second Regular Session 115th General Assembly (2008)


SENATE CONCURRENT
RESOLUTION No. 5



        A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION urging the Indiana Department of Natural Resources to include in its budget the necessary funds to help finance the expansion of the Falls of the Ohio State Park Interpretive Center.

    Whereas, One of the great wonders of the natural world exists at the Falls of the Ohio;

    Whereas, The Falls of the Ohio stands as proof that an ocean and coral reef existed more than 350 million years ago in Clark County;

    Whereas, Today the coral reef stretches from Louisville to Indianapolis, exposed only at the Falls of the Ohio and a few limestone quarries in Indiana;

    Whereas, The Falls of the Ohio is the only place in the world where such a large, exposed fossil reef of this period exists;

    Whereas, More than 220 acres of exposed, Devonian age fossil beds make up the Falls of the Ohio, the site of the Falls of the Ohio State Park;

    Whereas, In 1966, the National Park Service designated the Falls of the Ohio as a National Natural Landmark;

    Whereas, In addition to the great natural wonder that exists at the Falls of the Ohio, it is also the place where, in October 1803, Meriwether Lewis and William Clark first came together to plan and prepare for their expedition west;



    Whereas, The Corps of Discovery departed for the West from Clarksville, Indiana, on October 26, 1803;

    Whereas, On July 13, 2001, the National Park Service certified the Falls of the Ohio State Park as an official Lewis and Clark site associated with the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail;

    Whereas, The Falls of the Ohio Foundation began in 1987 to promote, protect, and educate people about the Falls of the Ohio;

    Whereas, The Falls of the Ohio Foundation led a campaign to raise money to build the Falls of the Ohio Interpretive Center;

    Whereas, The $6.9 million Falls of the Ohio Interpretive Center was opened in 1994;

    Whereas, The Falls of the Ohio Foundation donated the Interpretive Center to the Indiana Department of Natural Resources;

    Whereas, The Falls of the Ohio Interpretive Center is in need of expansion and remodeling;

    Whereas, The Falls of the Ohio Foundation has begun a new campaign to raise money to expand and remodel the Interpretive Center;

    Whereas, The members of the Natural Resources Study Committee have considered and adopted this resolution; and

    Whereas, Through the efforts of park staff and the Falls of the Ohio Interpretive Center, Hoosiers and visitors to our state will have the opportunity to view one of the great natural wonders of the world and to become more aware of the historical events that took place in the area that is now the Falls of the Ohio State Park: Therefore,

Be it resolved by the Senate of the General Assembly

of the State of Indiana, the House of Representatives concurring:



    SECTION 1. That the Indiana General Assembly recognizes the importance of the Falls of the Ohio State Park Interpretive Center to today's Hoosiers and to future generations.
    SECTION 2. That the Indiana General Assembly encourages the Indiana Department of Natural Resources to request funds for the expansion of the Falls of the Ohio Interpretative Center in the department's 2009-2011 budget request.
    SECTION 3. That copies of this resolution be transmitted by the Secretary of the Senate to the Director of the Indiana Department of Natural Resources and the President of the Falls of the Ohio Foundation.