A resolution observing the 50th anniversary of the date on which the SS Edmund Fitzgerald sank in Lake Superior, and remembering the 29 lives lost in one of the worst storms ever recorded on the Great Lakes.
- Bill Number
- S.Res. 494
- Origin Chamber
- Senate
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Transportation and Public Works
- Status
- Passed Senate
- Latest Action
- 2025-11-10: Submitted in the Senate, considered, and agreed to without amendment and with a preamble by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S8183; text: CR S8134)
- Last Updated
- 2025-12-03T15:43:51Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
This Senate Resolution (S. Res. 494) commemorates the 50th anniversary of the sinking of the SS Edmund Fitzgerald on November 10, 1975, in Lake Superior during a severe storm. It honors the 29 crew members who lost their lives and highlights the ship's historical significance in Great Lakes shipping.
Key Provisions
The resolution includes background "Whereas" clauses detailing the event and its context, followed by five main actions for the Senate:
- Recognize the 50th anniversary of the wreck.
- Express support for the families of the deceased crew members.
- Commend the efforts of rescue crews, the U.S. Coast Guard, and commercial vessels involved in the search for survivors.
- Acknowledge singer-songwriter Gordon Lightfoot and Great Lakes residents who preserve the ship's legacy (referencing his song "The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald").
- Reaffirm the Senate's commitment to safe shipping practices on the Great Lakes.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
This is a non-binding resolution with no legal force, so it introduces no changes to existing laws or regulations. It references past Coast Guard investigations that led to safety improvements, such as enhanced lake monitoring buoys, but does not enact new policies.
Potential Impacts
- On citizens: Provides emotional recognition and support for families and communities in the Great Lakes region (e.g., Wisconsin, Minnesota, Michigan), fostering remembrance and pride in regional maritime history. It may raise public awareness of shipping safety without direct practical effects.
- On government agencies: Symbolically reinforces the U.S. Coast Guard's role in maritime safety but imposes no new obligations or funding.
- On international relations: Minimal impact, as the Great Lakes involve U.S.-Canada shared waters, but the resolution focuses domestically.
Overall, impacts are primarily cultural and symbolic, promoting ongoing safety vigilance in a key economic area.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Families and descendants of the 29 crew members from states like Wisconsin, Minnesota, Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Florida, and California.
- Great Lakes maritime communities, including shippers, iron ore miners, steelworkers, farmers, fishers, and manufacturers who rely on the region's shipping economy.
- U.S. Coast Guard and rescue personnel involved in Great Lakes operations.
- Cultural figures and residents preserving the ship's legacy, such as Gordon Lightfoot and local historians.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal/Constitutional: None significant, as this is a simple resolution expressing Senate sentiment without binding authority or requiring presidential approval. It aligns with Congress's power to commemorate events under Article I.
- Political: Demonstrates bipartisan support (introduced by senators from both parties) for regional issues in the industrial Midwest, potentially strengthening ties with Great Lakes constituencies. It underscores the economic importance of the Great Lakes without partisan debate.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (7)
Sen. Young, Todd [R-IN], Sen. Peters, Gary C. [D-MI], Sen. Baldwin, Tammy [D-WI], Sen. Smith, Tina [D-MN], Sen. Gillibrand, Kirsten E. [D-NY], Sen. Durbin, Richard J. [D-IL], Sen. Slotkin, Elissa [D-MI]
Recent Actions
- 2025-11-10: Submitted in the Senate, considered, and agreed to without amendment and with a preamble by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S8183; text: CR S8134)
- 2025-11-10: Passed/agreed to in Senate: Submitted in the Senate, considered, and agreed to without amendment and with a preamble by Unanimous Consent.
- 2025-11-10: Introduced in Senate
Bill Versions
- Observing the 50th anniversary of the date on which the SS Edmund Fitzgerald sank in Lake Superior, and remembering the 29 lives lost in one of the worst storms ever recorded on the Great Lakes. — issued 2025-11-10 — PDF (3 pages)