[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 110 (Monday, July 10, 1995)]
[Senate]
[Page S9642]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                         ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS

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      ROTH AMENDMENT NO. 1444 TO S. 440, THE FEDERAL HIGHWAY BILL

 Mr. STEVENS. Mr. President, I wish to ask the distinguished 
Senator from Delaware if he would describe the impact on Alaska of the 
adoption of his amendment No. 1444 to the Federal highway bill, S. 440?
  Mr. ROTH. I would be pleased to do so, as I know of the considerable 
interest of the Senator from Alaska in continuing to see to it that the 
Alaska Railroad remains one of the premier transportation systems for 
Alaska. The adoption of amendment No. 1444 authorizes any State that 
does not have Amtrak service as of the legislation's enactment date, to 
use the mass transit account of the highway trust fund for capital 
improvements to, and operating support for, intercity passenger rail 
service. This means that congestion, mitigation, and air quality funds, 
as well as Surface Transportation Program funds will be eligible for 
the State of Alaska to use for its State railroad.
  Mr. STEVENS. I thank my good friend for spelling out the details of 
the impact of this amendment. It will come as good news for the Alaska 
Railroad Corporation as well as the people of Alaska who rely heavily 
on this unique rail system.


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