A JOINT RESOLUTION Honoring the life and memory of grover robbins, Jr., founder of tweetsie railroad on the theme park's fiftieth anniversary.

Whereas, in 1866, the East Tennessee & Western North Carolina Railroad Company was given permission to construct a railroad between Tennessee and North Carolina; and
Whereas, rail service began in 1882 between Johnson City, Tennessee, and Cranberry, North Carolina, and within a few years was extended to Boone, North Carolina; and
Whereas, the name "Tweetsie" came about as a result of the shrill "tweet, tweet" sound made by the train's whistles as the train passed through the mountains; and
Whereas, the East Tennessee & Western North Carolina Railroad Company ceased operating in 1950, and the company's only surviving coal‑fired steam engine, Tweetsie Locomotive #12, changed owners several times before it was purchased in 1956 by Grover Robbins, Jr., a native of Blowing Rock, North Carolina; and
Whereas, Grover Robbins, Jr. developed the concept for Tweetsie Railroad and opened the attraction as North Carolina's first theme park on July 4, 1957; and
Whereas, Grover Robbins, Jr. made other contributions to North Carolina's tourism industry prior to his death in 1970, including developing the Hound Ears Lodge and Club on Beech Mountain, Linville Land Harbor, and the former Land of Oz Theme Park on Beech Mountain; and
Whereas, Tweetsie Railroad offers visitors a variety of entertainment, including an action‑packed three‑mile train ride featuring Tweetsie Locomotive #12, a Wild West theme park, live shows, amusement rides, scenic chair lift rides to Miner's Mountain, a Tweetsie Railroad/ET & WNC Museum, and a petting zoo; and
Whereas, Tweetsie Railroad also has a complete steam train repair shop business, which rebuilds and restores locomotives for other theme parks and museums; and
Whereas, Tweetsie Railroad's #12 locomotive is listed on the National Register of Historic Places; and
Whereas, Tweetsie Railroad should be commended for offering 50 years of family fun to the people from North Carolina and around the country and for continuing to attract thousands of visitors each year; Now, therefore,

Be it resolved by the Senate, the House of Representatives concurring:

SECTION 1.  The General Assembly honors the memory of Grover Robbins, Jr. and expresses its appreciation for his many contributions to tourism in North Carolina.
SECTION 2.  The General Assembly commends Tweetsie Railroad on its 50th anniversary and encourages the citizens of this State to participate in activities observing the theme park's celebration.
SECTION 3.  The Secretary of State shall transmit a certified copy of this resolution to the owners of Tweetsie Railroad.
SECTION 4.  This resolution is effective upon ratification.
In the General Assembly read three times and ratified this the 11th day of July, 2007.

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		 Beverly E. Perdue
	 President of the Senate

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		 Joe Hackney
	 Speaker of the House of Representatives