[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 80 (Monday, June 17, 2002)]
[Senate]
[Page S5630]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               25TH ANNIVERSARY OF SUNLINE TRANSIT AGENCY

 Mrs. BOXER. Mr. President, I am proud to take this moment to 
salute the incredible 25-year record of SunLine Transit Agency, which 
provides service to the Coachella Valley. SunLine Transit Agency is a 
leader in clean fuels technology, operating all its transit buses and 
other vehicles on alternate fuels.
  SunLine is clearly ahead of its time. It was the first public transit 
agency in the nation to convert its fleet to cleaner burning natural 
gas, the first to co-develop, with private and public sector partners, 
renewable hydrogen generation and education facilities, and the lead 
agency in the Coachella Valley's award-winning U.S. Department of 
Energy Clean Cities program.
  SunLine's clean fuel buses have driven 25 million clean air miles, 
and have carried 4 million passengers per year in 1999, 2000 and 2001. 
SunLine has hosted visitors from near and far, including foreign 
ministers, ambassadors, energy officials, automakers and energy 
providers. It has also helped other transit properties and fleet 
operators around the world convert to clean fuels.
  I had the great pleasure to tour SunLine's state-of-art facilities 
and meet its wonderful staff. Last February, I presented the agency 
with my Conservation Champion Award and took a ride in its hydrogen 
powered SunBug. As I stood under the brillant blue sky of the Coachella 
Valley, I felt proud knowing that California's SunLine Transit Agency 
is leading the way for the nation with innovative approaches to provide 
renewable energy.
  I would like to extend my sincere congratulations to Richard 
Cromwell, III, General Manager and CEO of SunLine, and all of SunLine's 
staff. They have successfully made it a leader for California and the 
Nation.

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