*HR1515* Introduced Version HOUSE RESOLUTION No. ___ Introduced by: Bartels ____________________________________ 1 A HOUSE RESOLUTION congratulating the Lincoln 2 Amphitheatre, Lincoln City, on the occasion of the 35th 3 anniversary of its inaugural season. 4 Whereas, As one of the largest roofed amphitheaters in the 5 United States, the Lincoln Amphitheatre seats 1,500 in an 6 outdoor venue that is located in the woods where Abraham 7 Lincoln walked as a boy; 8 Whereas, From the age of 7 until he was 21, Abraham 9 Lincoln lived, learned, and worked in what is now Lincoln City; 10 Whereas, The amphitheater, which is located in Lincoln 11 State Park, was constructed and dedicated in 1987 and served 12 as the home of the Young Abe Lincoln musical outdoor drama 13 for 19 years; 20222504 HR 1515/DI 140 2022 2 1 Whereas, In its inaugural season, the Lincoln Club of 2 Southern Indiana and the Lincoln Boyhood Drama Association 3 (LBDA) operated the amphitheater and produced Young Abe 4 Lincoln, which was presented for the final time in August 2005 5 when funding was lost; 6 Whereas, Local efforts to restore funding for a 7 Lincoln-based production were successful in 2007, with the 8 Indiana General Assembly approving $1.6 million for facility 9 upgrades and for a production of a new Abraham Lincoln play; 10 Whereas, Following the 2014 season, the amphitheater was 11 again closed for the majority of the 2015 season; 12 Whereas, The Indiana Office of Tourism Development and 13 the Indiana Department of Natural Resources began a 14 partnership midway through the 2015 season in an attempt to 15 bring the Lincoln play back for the 2016 season in conjunction 16 with the state's bicentennial celebration; 17 Whereas, The amphitheater was once again forced to close 18 in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic and all performances 19 were rescheduled to 2021; 20 Whereas, The amphitheater had a strong opening in 2021 21 and successfully hosted many full capacity events; 22 Whereas, The Lincoln Amphitheatre looks forward to the 23 2022 season; and 24 Whereas, Over the 35 years of its existence, the Lincoln 25 Amphitheatre's primary use has been to showcase the life and 26 history of Abraham Lincoln, particularly as it relates to the 27 years he resided in southern Indiana: Therefore, 28 Be it resolved by the House of Representatives of the 29 General Assembly of the State of Indiana: 30 SECTION 1. That the members of the Indiana House of 31 Representatives congratulate the Lincoln Amphitheatre on the 32 occasion of the 35th anniversary of its inaugural season, and 33 hope that the amphitheater will continue for many years to 20222504 HR 1515/DI 140 2022 3 1 come. 2 SECTION 2. That the Principal Clerk of the House of 3 Representatives transmit a copy of this resolution to Lincoln 4 Amphitheatre Director Marc Steczyk. 20222504 HR 1515/DI 140 2022