[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 148 (Friday, October 16, 1998)]
[Senate]
[Page S12669]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           LINDA MORGAN AND THE SURFACE TRANSPORTATION BOARD

  Mr. FORD. Mr. President, in the closing days of the 105th Congress, 
it appears that S. 1802, a bill to reauthorize the Surface 
Transportation Board, may not be enacted into law. I hope that the STB 
is not penalized in any way for the failure of Congress to enact S. 
1802. In fact, I want my colleagues to know that Linda Morgan, the 
current chairman of the STB, is well respected within the Senate on 
both sides of the aisle. She was a valued member of the staff of the 
Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation for several 
years. The work ethic, honesty and balance that she demonstrated as a 
member of the Committee's professional staff have been evidenced also 
at the STB.
  Linda Morgan and her staff have handled a significant number of 
complex matters in a timely, thorough manner despite very limited 
resources. Just one example of the Board's evenhanded approach is the 
exhaustive review of the acquisition of Conrail by CSX and Norfolk 
Southern. This transaction will yield significant competitive and 
environmental benefits, not only in Kentucky but throughout the Eastern 
United States. The Board's evenhanded, professional approach in 
reviewing this major transaction and assessing the public benefits is 
indicative of the excellent work that Chairman Morgan and the Board 
have done since its creation.
  As a result, I support S. 1802 and hope that the bill could still 
become law before the conclusion of the 105th Congress. Also, I urge 
the Administration to renominate Ms. Morgan for an additional term as 
Chairman of the STB. She is a proven, well-qualified public servant, 
and she has earned the opportunity to complete the work that she has 
started.

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