[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 97 (Thursday, June 27, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1205-E1206]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   WESTSIDE LIGHT RAIL AND H.R. 3675

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. ELIZABETH FURSE

                               of oregon

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 27, 1996

  Mr. FURSE. Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank Chairman Wolf and 
members of the subcommittee for excellent work in crafting a bipartisan 
fiscal year 1997 transportation bill. On behalf of the board coalition 
in Oregon which enthusiastically endorses Westside Light Rail, my 
thanks to the entire subcommittee for including $90 million for this 
important project in H.R. 3675.
  Earlier this year, as I have for 4 years in a row, I organized a 
diverse group to testify in Congress in support of the Westside/
Hillsboro project. Representatives of private sector groups, local 
officials, and public organizations continue to strongly support 
Westside Light Rail in Oregon. As I have noted for a number of years, 
Westside Light Rail's record of support from Oregonians themselves 
speaks for itself: in the 1990's, Oregon taxpayers have voted to put 
their own money into light rail by margins of 65 percent and 74 
percent. It is clear that Westside Light Rail's impressive local 
support was key to the subcommittee's decision to keep this project on 
track.
  Work is progressing on Westside Light Rail throughout my district. 
Earlier this year, I attended the holing-through of one of the two 3 
mile tunnels through Portland's West Hills--a major milestone in the 
construction of the

[[Page E1206]]

Westside project. In fact, all the benefits of Westside Light Rail 
which I have touted in Congress for 4 years--the reduced congestion, 
the economic development, the tie-in with local and State land use 
laws--are closer to reality with each passing day.
  Mr. Chairman, let me add that light rail in Oregon enjoys bipartisan 
support. Regardless of who has controlled the House of Representatives, 
I have secured record funding for Westside Light Rail for 4 straight 
years. My colleague from Oregon, Mr. Bunn, has worked very diligently 
on including language in H.R. 3675 for the South/North light rail line. 
I look forward to working with all members of the Oregon delegation 
during the reauthorization of ISTEA to help secure authorizing language 
for the South/North light rail project in 1997.
  Again, Chairman Wolf, members of the subcommittee, thank you for your 
past support of the Westside/Hillsboro project. I urge all Members of 
the House to support H.R. 3675.

                          ____________________