[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 138 (Thursday, October 2, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1954]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       THANKING SUPPORTERS OF THE RAVENSWOOD LINE REHABILITATION

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. RAHM EMANUEL

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, October 2, 2003

  Mr. EMANUEL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to express my appreciation to 
the members of the Transportation Appropriations Committee for their 
leadership in support of the rehabilitation and expansion of Chicago's 
Ravenswood Elevated Line.
  Built more than a century ago, the Ravenswood Line, known by 
Chicagoans as the ``Brown Line,'' is one of the City's fabled elevated 
trains and serves as a vital link between the area that I'm proud to 
represent--the northwest side--and downtown. Along the way, it winds 
through some of Chicago's historic neighborhoods: Ravenswood, North 
Center, Wrigleyville, Lakeview, Lincoln Park, and of course, the Loop.
  With more than 60,000 commuters each day, ridership has increased 
approximately 73 percent since 1979. In the past year alone, the number 
of riders has increased by 10 percent, the highest rate of growth 
anywhere in the Chicago Transit Authority's (CTA) rail transportation 
system.
  Because of the Brown Line's age, it can only accommodate six-car 
trains, and not the eight-car trains used elsewhere on the CTA system. 
Thus, the Ravenswood Line is not able to handle the growing demand. In 
fact, it is not unusual for commuters to wait several full trains 
before being able to board a train in the morning rush hour. Clearly, 
the Brown Line renovation is necessary to keep pace with the rapidly 
growing demand for mass transit services in Chicago.
  For these reasons, since arriving in Congress I have worked closely 
with the City of Chicago, CTA, and U.S. Department of Transportation to 
ensure that the Brown Line revitalization received the support it 
needed to continue. I was also pleased to appear before the 
Transportation Appropriations Subcommittee to discuss why expanding the 
line is so important to ensure the safety of Chicago commuters and to 
improve its efficiency.
  I am pleased that both Committees agree that the Brown Line 
rehabilitation is a critically necessary and worthwhile project. It was 
included in the original Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century 
(TEA-21), and I am hopeful that it will be included in the upcoming 
bill to reauthorize TEA-21. On behalf of Chicago's riders, I am deeply 
grateful that the members of the Appropriations Committee included this 
project in the Fiscal Year 2004 Transportation-Treasury Bill passed two 
weeks ago by this body. Because of this support, the Ravenswood Line 
rehabilitation project will be able to stay on schedule, benefiting my 
district, and indeed the entire City of Chicago.
  Mr. Speaker, I would like to personally thank all the members who 
supported this project crucial to Illinois' Fifth Congressional 
District, particularly Speaker Hastert and Congressman Lipinski for 
their assistance, hard work and unyielding commitment to the project. 
Further, I look forward to working with them in support of this project 
as the bill moves into conference and onto the President's desk for 
signature.

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