[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 76 (Thursday, May 8, 2008)]
[Senate]
[Page S3981]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  SENATE RESOLUTION 557--SUPPORTING THE GOALS AND IDEALS OF NATIONAL 
                               TRAIN DAY

  Mr. LAUTENBERG (for himself, Mrs. Hutchison, Mr. Baucus, Mr. Biden, 
Mr. Carper, Mrs. Clinton, Mr. Dorgan, Mr. Durbin, Mr. Kerry, Mr. 
Menendez, Mr. Schumer, Mr. Whitehouse, Mr. Wyden, Mr. Domenici, Ms. 
Snowe, Mr. Crapo, Mr. Cochran, Mr. Specter, Mr. Lieberman, Mr. Bayh, 
and Mr. Brown) submitted the following resolution; which was referred 
to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation:

                              S. Res. 557

       Whereas, on May 10, 1869, the ``golden spike'' was driven 
     into the final tie at Promontory Summit, Utah, to join the 
     Central Pacific and the Union Pacific Railroads, ceremonially 
     completing the first transcontinental railroad and therefore 
     connecting both coasts of the United States;
       Whereas, in highly populated regions, Amtrak trains and 
     infrastructure carry commuters to and from work in congested 
     metropolitan areas providing a reliable rail option, reducing 
     congestion on roads and in the skies;
       Whereas, for many rural Americans, Amtrak represents the 
     only major intercity transportation link to the rest of the 
     country;
       Whereas passenger rail provides a more energy-efficient 
     form of transportation compared to autos or air travel;
       Whereas passenger railroads emit only 0.2 percent of the 
     travel industry's total greenhouse gases;
       Whereas Amtrak annually provides intercity passenger rail 
     travel to over 25,000,000 Americans residing in 46 States;
       Whereas an increasing number of people are using trains for 
     travel purposes beyond commuting to and from work;
       Whereas our railroad stations are a source of civic pride, 
     a gateway to our communities, and a tool for economic growth; 
     and
       Whereas Amtrak has designated May 10, 2008, as National 
     Train Day to celebrate the way trains connect people and 
     places: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate supports the goals and ideals of 
     National Train Day, as designated by Amtrak.

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