Resolution honoring C&D Canal anniversary expected to pass Senate tonight

WASHINGTON – A resolution introduced by U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.) and cosponsored by U.S. Senators Tom Carper (D-Del.), Barbara Mikulski (D-Md.), and Ben Cardin (D-Md.), to honor the 182nd anniversary of the opening of the Chesapeake and Delaware Canal, is expected to pass the Senate by unanimous consent on Monday evening. The C&D Canal first became operational with the support of federal and state governments on October 17, 1829.

“The 182nd anniversary of the opening of the C&D Canal is a great opportunity to reflect on the innumerable contributions this waterway has made to our state,” Senator Coons said. “The C&D Canal has played an important role in the growth of the prosperous mid-Atlantic ports, bringing jobs and business to the region, and further strengthening the economic and cultural bond between Delaware and Maryland. The C&D provides many outdoor recreational opportunities for visitors, which will expand after the completion of the C&D Canal trail. I look forward to exploring the new trail with my family, and will continue to work to preserve the Canal and its surrounding area for future generations to enjoy.” Senator Coons is a member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee.

“The C&D Canal is a treasured resource that has benefited Delawareans for generations,” Senator Carper said. “For nearly 200 years, the Canal has served as an economic engine for our region, as well as a scenic and safe recreational area for Delawareans of all ages to enjoy. Today, I join Senators Coons, Cardin and Mikulski in saluting this waterway as it continues to prosper and provide for our region for decades to come.”

The C&D Canal has been in operation since 1829, and today it is one of the busiest working waterways in the world, with more than 25,000 vessels passing through it each year. The Canal is a critical commercial waterway serving the Ports of Baltimore, Wilmington, and Philadelphia.

The resolution expresses the sense of the Senate regarding the following:

• Commemorates the 182nd anniversary of the opening of the Chesapeake and Delaware Canal;
• Celebrates the history of the Chesapeake and Delaware Canal as a facilitator of trade and economic development in the Chesapeake and Mid-Atlantic regions;
• Honors the ongoing role that the Chesapeake and Delaware Canal plays in supporting commerce by linking the Delaware River and Chesapeake Bay to ports around the world; and
• Recognizes the potential for recreation on federally owned land along the banks of the Chesapeake and Delaware Canal to encourage job creation, outdoor engagement, wellness, and fitness.

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