[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 129 (Friday, October 4, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1766]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                     CARSON'S QUESTION OF PRIVILEGE

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. TOM UDALL

                             of new mexico

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, October 3, 2002

  Mr. UDALL of New Mexico. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to voice my strong 
support of Ms. Carson's resolution and my even stronger support of 
Amtrak. As Ms. Carson's resolution recognizes, Amtrak provided a vital 
transportation alternative during the weeks and months following the 
attacks of September 11th. The importance of Amtrak, however, goes far 
beyond simply providing an alternative mode of transportation in times 
of crisis. Amtrak serves more than 500 stations in 46 states, provides 
employment to thousands of workers, and provides a significant economic 
impact to small communities throughout the country.
  Specifically, in my state of New Mexico the most recent figures show 
that New Mexico Amtrak ridership totaled 95,278 passengers. Amtrak also 
employed 63 New Mexicans totaling wages of $3.62 million. Three Amtrak 
routes run through New Mexico; the Southwest Chief route, the Texas 
Eagle route, and the Sunset Limited route. All three of these lines are 
of vital importance to the number of small communities through which 
they run. Communities such as Raton, Las Vegas, and Gallup, all three 
of which are in the 3d Congressional District, which I represent, 
depend heavily on the Amtrak passengers to bring their dollars to these 
local economies. Without Amtrak, these communities would experience 
devastating economic hits that would threaten the very existence of 
these wonderful places.
  That is why it is so important that we provide Amtrak with the level 
of funding they have requested--the level of funding they deem 
necessary to maintain and improve their existing services. The 
President's request of $521 million will result in a severe cutback of 
Amtrak's services, which will, in turn, result in a devastating impact 
on the communities that Amtrak currently serves. I urge my colleagues 
to not only support Ms. Carson's resolution, but also support an 
increase to $1.2 billion of funding for Amtrak.

                          ____________________