[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 130 (Saturday, August 5, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1653]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                THE RAIL INFRASTRUCTURE PRESERVATION ACT

                                 ______


                            HON. BOB CLEMENT

                              of tennessee

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, August 4, 1995
  Mr. CLEMENT. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to introduce the Rail 
Infrastructure Preservation Act of 1995 a bill to reauthorize a small 
assistance program for short line and regional railroads that serve 
local and rural America. These railroads have become a critical factor 
in whether smaller communities and smaller shippers have access to the 
national rail system and the economic future that such access ensures.
  The Rail Infrastructure Preservation Act will reauthorize the local 
rail freight assistance program at a $25 million per year level. This 
program provides matching fund grants, through the States, to short 
line and regional railroads. The funds are used primarily for 
rehabilitation of track and bridge structures that these smaller 
carriers inherited from the major railroads which sold them the 
properties. In most cases the grants are one-time events and represent 
the seed money that the small carriers need to achieve safe and 
efficient operating conditions.
  In addition, the legislation will clarify that the local rail 
assistance program can be used to assist small railroads restore 
facilities destroyed in a major natural disaster, such as the 1993 
floods in the Mississippi and Missouri River valleys. It also includes 
technical revisions to the section 511 loan guarantee program, that is 
currently authorized, in order to make these funds more accessible to 
small carriers. Together both programs, LRFA grants and section 511 
loan guarantees, will continue to ensure a growing and efficient feeder 
line railroad system in all States.
  I am pleased to note that the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science 
and Transportation, in a strong bipartisan vote--17 to 2--on July 20, 
reported out a bill--S. 920--to reauthorize LRFA grants and modify the 
loan guarantee provisions as reflected in my bill. The bipartisan 
support demonstrated in the Senate illustrates the widespread value of 
this modest program throughout the States. My own State of Tennessee 
has nine short line railroads operating over tracks which otherwise 
would have been abandoned.
  I urge my colleagues to review the Rail Infrastructure Preservation 
Act of 1995 and consider supporting it when it is considered in the 
House of Representatives.


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