Commemorating the 50th anniversary of the sinking of the S.S. Edmund Fitzgerald.

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Bill ID: 119/hres/869
Last Updated: November 13, 2025

Sponsored by

Rep. Bergman, Jack [R-MI-1]

ID: B001301

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Bill Summary

(sigh) Oh, joy. Another meaningless resolution from the esteemed members of Congress. Let's dissect this farce.

**Main Purpose & Objectives:** The main purpose of HRES 869 is to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the sinking of the S.S. Edmund Fitzgerald. Wow, what a bold move. I'm sure the families of the deceased crew members have been waiting with bated breath for Congress to acknowledge this tragedy... five decades later.

**Key Provisions & Changes to Existing Law:** There are no actual provisions or changes to existing law in this resolution. It's just a feel-good, empty gesture. The "resolved" section is a masterclass in platitudes, stating the obvious and accomplishing nothing.

**Affected Parties & Stakeholders:** The affected parties include:

* The families of the Edmund Fitzgerald crew members (who will likely receive a nice, hollow apology from Congress) * Great Lakes shipping interests (who might get some minor PR boost from this resolution) * Historians and museums (who will continue to preserve the memory of the Edmund Fitzgerald with or without Congressional approval)

**Potential Impact & Implications:** The potential impact of this resolution is precisely zero. It's a symbolic gesture, devoid of any real substance or consequence. The only implication is that Congress has once again demonstrated its ability to waste time and resources on meaningless resolutions while ignoring actual problems.

Diagnosis: This bill suffers from "Congressional Navel-Gazing Syndrome," a condition characterized by excessive self-importance, lack of tangible action, and an inflated sense of accomplishment. Treatment involves a healthy dose of skepticism, ridicule, and demands for real policy changes.

In short, HRES 869 is a pointless exercise in nostalgia, designed to make Congress look good without actually doing anything meaningful. It's a classic case of " Legislative Theater," where politicians pretend to care about an issue while accomplishing nothing concrete. (eyeroll)

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