WHEREAS, The results of that fateful day helped to shape the events and the
outcome of the Battle of Antietam that was fought 3 days later; and

WHEREAS, The State wishes to forever remember the ultimate sacrifice made
by those brave soldiers, their families, and their communities; and

WHEREAS, The Department of Natural Resources, the Central Maryland
Heritage League, the Friends of Washington Monument State Park, county and
municipal government, tourism offices, private landowners, and others have worked
closely in protecting and managing lands and interpreting Civil War events within
the historical boundaries of the South Mountain Battlefield; and

WHEREAS, It is fitting and right to provide Maryland's citizens and visitors to
this State an opportunity to see, to learn, and to appreciate the important role that
the Battle of South Mountain played in this Country's history; and

WHEREAS, Promotion of this important battle in American history will
encourage tourism in Frederick County and Washington County; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF MARYLAND, That the State
of Maryland strongly supports the Department of Natural Resources effort to study
the establishment of a State park at South Mountain that encompasses the battlefield
known as South Mountain, including Turner's Gap, Fox's Gap, and Crampton's Gap;
and be it further

RESOLVED, That a Task Force on the South Mountain Battlefield Historic
Tourism. Initiative be established to assist the Department of Natural Resources in
studying the establishment of a State park at South Mountain and evaluating the
potential costs and benefits, and the feasibility, of establishing a State park at South
Mountain, including, but not limited to:

(1) Identifying funding sources necessary to operate the State park;

(2) Recommending procedures for management and maintenance of the State

park;

(3) Identifying real property needs and property rights issues that need to be
addressed; and to ascertain

(4) Ascertaining the efficacy of establishing a State park at South Mountain;
and be it further

RESOLVED, That the Task Force shall be composed of:

(1) Two members of the House of Delegates, appointed by the Speaker of the
House, and two members of the Senate, appointed by the President of the Senate;

(2) One representative from the Department of Natural Resources, appointed
by the Governor;

(3) One representative from the Department of Transportation, appointed by
the Governor;