[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 145 (Friday, October 24, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2079]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  AMTRAK REFORM AND PRIVATIZATION ACT

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                               speech of

                           HON. DOUG BEREUTER

                              of nebraska

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, October 22, 1997

       The House in Committee of the Whole House on the State of 
     the Union had under consideration of the bill (H.R. 2247), to 
     reform the statutes relating to Amtrak, to authorize 
     appropriations for Amtrak, and for other purposes:

  Mr. BEREUTER. Mr. Chairman, this Member rises in support of H.R. 2247 
and in support of continued long-distance Amtrak service.
  During the 104th Congress this Member voted against a similar bill 
due to concerns about its possible adverse impact on long-distance 
routes through States such as Nebraska. In a statement which appeared 
in the November 30, 1995, Congressional Record, this Member expressed 
the view that passenger train service should not be confined only to 
high-density corridors. If Federal subsidies are provided to Amtrak 
then it should continue to serve as a truly national system. Federal 
subsidies from taxpayers from throughout the Nation for a limited, 
regional system would not be justified.
  While these concerns remain, this Member also recognizes that H.R. 
2247 contains necessary and appropriate labor reforms and other 
restructuring provisions designed to provide relief for the ailing 
railroad. In addition, most important, passage of this reform 
legislation is necessary to allow Amtrak access to the $2.3 billion for 
capital improvements included in the recently enacted Taxpayer Relief 
Act.
  Therefore, this Member supports H.R. 2247 and expresses his hope that 
Amtrak will continue to provide at least the current important long-
distance transportation alternative routes for and across the sparsely 
settled States such as Nebraska and others in the Northern Great Plains 
and Rocky Mountain West. Amtrak clearly should continue to have an 
important role in the Nation's overall transportation.

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