[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 73 (Thursday, May 24, 2001)]
[House]
[Page H2685]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       TRANSPORTATION CONGESTION

  (Mr. KIRK asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. KIRK. Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank the gentleman from 
Alaska (Mr. Young) for his diligent work this week in addressing the 
increasing problem of transportation congestion in our Nation.
  As a Member of Congress who represents a suburban district that has 
experienced a great deal of growth, I see the importance of a well-
maintained and modern transportation system on a daily basis.
  The residents of the 10th Congressional District of Illinois 
consistently ranked transportation needs as one of the primary 
challenges facing our way of life. Our region is gripped by highway 
gridlock and exacerbated by continued outward expansion of residential 
and commercial properties.
  Mr. Speaker, our Nation's transportation infrastructure is critical 
to our social and economic vitality. We must continue to improve local 
commuter rail lines that will bring thousands of automobiles off 
congested roadways.
  It will also help us meet the mandates of the Clean Air Act; and, 
additionally, we need to invest in high-speed rail that will give an 
alternative to congested airports.
  Mr. Speaker, I look forward to working with the gentleman from Alaska 
on this matter and thank him for the commitment this week to fighting 
congestion.

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