[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 129 (Thursday, September 24, 1998)]
[Senate]
[Page S10941]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           NOMINATION OF AMY ROSEN TO THE AMTRAK REFORM BOARD

  Mr. LAUTENBERG. Mr. President, I rise to strongly support Amy Rosen's 
nomination to the Amtrak Reform Board of Directors. Ms. Rosen has the 
right blend of business and financial knowledge, talent and creativity 
needed to lead Amtrak into the next century.
  Mr. President, the next few years will be crucial for Amtrak. To 
increase ridership, modernize and cut costs while reducing its 
dependence on federal assistance, Amtrak needs Board members with 
demonstrated business and financial skills. I believe Amy Rosen is 
eminently qualified to serve on Amtrak's Board and can make that kind 
of contribution at this critical juncture in Amtrak's history. She has 
business acumen derived from extensive professional experience in the 
private sector, along with her work in the public sector.
  Currently, Ms. Rosen is Managing Partner of Public Private 
Initiatives, a financial services and consulting firm that employs 
innovative financing techniques to benefit public sector, non-profit 
and private sector clients. At PPI, she is directly involved in 
applying creative financial tools, such as tax-advantaged leasing and 
asset securitization to enhance government services.
  For example, under Ms. Rosen's tenure, New Jersey Transit has 
leverage-leased $1.8 billion worth of equipment and facilities, for a 
net benefit of $100 million to New Jersey Transit and its ridership. 
Prior to starting Public Private Initiatives, Ms. Rosen was Senior Vice 
President of Marketing and Managing Director of Lockheed-Martin IMS, 
where she was responsible for the oversight of all domestic and 
international marketing initiatives, and state and federal relations. 
She also was very involved in the Lockheed merger with Martin Marietta. 
Throughout her tenure, she worked to re-shape the corporation's 
marketing and acquisition needs in the midst of defense budget cuts. 
These positions required the kind of skills and expertise that can help 
Amtrak deal effectively with the challenges it faces today.
  Ms. Rosen also has relevant and extremely valuable experience in the 
public sector. She served as Deputy Commissioner for the New Jersey 
Department of Transportation under Governor Byrne and currently serves 
as Vice Chair of the New Jersey Transit Board of Directors. As a result 
of her service in these posts, she has hands-on experience in state 
government and will be able to build strong relationships between 
Amtrak and the states it serves.
  Mr. President, while professional experience and particular skills 
are important for effective service, Ms. Rosen also has the kinds of 
personal strengths and attributes that the Senate looks for in nominees 
to high posts. She is bright, energetic, extremely hard working and 
committed to the goals and mission the Congress has set out for Amtrak. 
I can also personally attest to her integrity and ability to work well 
within a group.
  Mr. President, I strongly support Ms. Rosen's appointment and I urge 
my colleagues to do the same. I yield the floor.

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