[Congressional Bills 111th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 517 Agreed to Senate (ATS)]

111th CONGRESS
  2d Session
S. RES. 517

     In support and recognition of National Train Day, May 8, 2010.


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                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                              May 7, 2010

   Mr. Lautenberg (for himself, Mr. Rockefeller, Mrs. Hutchison, Mr. 
Lieberman, Mr. Schumer, Mr. Durbin, Mrs. Boxer, Mr. Carper, Mr. Dorgan, 
Mr. Wyden, Mr. Burris, Mr. Bayh, and Mr. Udall of New Mexico) submitted 
      the following resolution; which was considered and agreed to

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                               RESOLUTION


 
     In support and recognition of National Train Day, May 8, 2010.

    Whereas on May 10, 1869, the ``golden spike'' was driven into the 
            final tie at Promontory Summit, Utah, to join the Central 
            Pacific and the Union Pacific Railroads, ceremonially 
            completing the first transcontinental railroad and 
            therefore connecting both coasts of the United States;
    Whereas in highly populated regions Amtrak trains and 
            infrastructure carry intercity passengers and commuters to 
            and from work in congested metropolitan areas, providing a 
            reliable rail option while reducing congestion on roads and 
            in the skies;
    Whereas Amtrak ridership in Fiscal Year 2009 reached 27.1 million 
            passengers from 46 states;
    Whereas, for many rural Americans, Amtrak represents the only major 
            intercity transportation link to the rest of the country;
    Whereas passenger rail provides a fuel-efficient transportation 
            system, thereby providing clean transportation alternatives 
            and energy security;
    Whereas, when combined with all modes of transportation, passenger 
            railroads emit only 0.2 percent of the travel industry's 
            total greenhouse gases and one freight train can move a ton 
            of freight 480 miles on one gallon of fuel;
    Whereas developing this pipeline of national high-speed and 
            intercity passenger rail projects will revitalize the 
            domestic manufacturing industry and create additional 
            American jobs building on the one million good-paying, 
            middle-class-creating American jobs that can never be off-
            shored that are already supported by the rail industry;
    Whereas ridership on Amtrak grew every year from 2000 through 2008, 
            and is currently on track for 2010 to be its best ridership 
            year ever, further demonstrating the increased demand for 
            intercity passenger rail services; and
    Whereas our railroad system is a source of civic pride, the gateway 
            to our communities and a tool for economic growth that 
            creates transportation-oriented development and livable 
            communities: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the Senate supports the goals and ideals of National 
Train Day, as designated by Amtrak.
                                 <all>