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CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMEMORATING THE 150TH

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ANNIVERSARY OF THE GOLDEN SPIKE

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2019 GENERAL SESSION

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STATE OF UTAH

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Chief Sponsor: Joel Ferry

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Senate Sponsor: Scott D. Sandall

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8     LONG TITLE
9     General Description:
10          This concurrent resolution of the Legislature and the Governor commemorates the
11     150th anniversary of the Golden Spike site.
12     Highlighted Provisions:
13          This resolution:
14          ▸     recognizes the historic significance of the completion of the first transcontinental
15     railroad to the state and the nation;
16          ▸     recognizes the efforts of the people of Box Elder County and Utah, many of whom
17     have dedicated countless hours to the Golden Spike National Historic Site; and
18          ▸     recognizes the 150th anniversary of the Golden Spike ceremony and the completion
19     of the transcontinental railroad.
20     Special Clauses:
21          None
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23     Be it resolved by the Legislature of the state of Utah, the Governor concurring therein:
24          WHEREAS, on May 10, 1869, at Promontory Summit, Utah, a ceremonial golden spike
25     was driven into the final tie joining the Union Pacific Railroad and Central Pacific Railroad
26     lines, marking the completion of the first transcontinental railroad across the nation;
27          WHEREAS, the transcontinental railroad was a significant accomplishment for the

28     people of Utah and the nation;
29          WHEREAS, the construction of the first transcontinental railroad involved 15,000
30     workers and took almost six years;
31          WHEREAS, Chinese, Irish, and other immigrant laborers were responsible for much of
32     the labor necessary to complete the railroad;
33          WHEREAS, Mormon settlers in Utah provided significant labor and capital toward the
34     construction of the transcontinental railroad, including much of the grading work to complete
35     both the Central Pacific and Union Pacific lines through Utah;
36          WHEREAS, the transcontinental railroad accelerated the settlement of the American
37     West, allowing goods and people to move from coast to coast more safely, more efficiently,
38     and more economically;
39          WHEREAS, the transcontinental railroad reduced the cost and time of travel from the
40     east to the west side of the United States from $1000 to $150 and from six months to
41     approximately one week;
42          WHEREAS, the transcontinental railroad paved the way for the economic growth of the
43     United States, shipping $50 million worth of freight from coast to coast each year by 1880;
44          WHEREAS, it took until 96 years after the completion of the transcontinental railroad
45     for the Golden Spike site to be recognized for its important role in the nation's history and
46     heritage and established as the Golden Spike National Historic Site;
47          WHEREAS, the preservation and recognition of the site can be attributed to the diligent
48     and persistent efforts of the people of Box Elder County and Utah, many of whom have
49     dedicated countless hours of service to the Golden Spike site; and
50          WHEREAS, May 10, 2019, will be the 150th anniversary of the completion of the
51     transcontinental railroad and the Golden Spike ceremony:
52          NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature, the Governor
53     concurring therein, recognizes and expresses gratitude for the tireless efforts of the people of
54     Box Elder County, the state of Utah, and the Spike 150 Commission who have educated the
55     citizens of Utah and the United States about the historic events that occurred on May 10, 1869,
56     in Promontory Summit, Utah, and have protected and preserved the site for future generations.
57          BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Legislature, the Governor concurring therein,
58     commemorates the 150th anniversary of the Golden Spike ceremony and the completion of the

59     transcontinental railroad.