[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 97 (Thursday, June 12, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1211]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         PASSENGER RAIL INVESTMENT AND IMPROVEMENT ACT OF 2008

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                              HON. TED POE

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, June 11, 2008

       The House in Committee of the Whole House on the State of 
     the Union had under consideration the bill (H.R. 6003) to 
     reauthorize Amtrak, and for other purposes:

  Mr. POE. Mr. Chairman, I rise in support of H.R. 6003 and commend the 
bipartisan leadership of our House Transportation & Infrastructure 
Committee for taking the first steps towards developing true high speed 
rail service in America. This bill takes a historic step in the right 
direction towards developing additional transportation options for 
Americans faced with congested roads and airspace. It will also bring 
us up to par with European and Asian high speed rail networks.
  High speed rail will have ways of connecting people to their place of 
business, homes, and commercial centers in ways never thought 
imaginable. I especially support Section 503 of this bill which calls 
for a study that may consider expanding the existing South Central 
Corridor that goes through Texas to include the greater Houston region. 
One day, it could be a reality that 70 percent of Texans, those who 
live in the greater Houston, Dallas, or San Antonio regions could 
commute reasonably, perhaps as quick as an hour and a half each way, 
between those cities to work, visit family, attend entertainment 
venues, sporting events, fairs, universities, museums, hospitals, and 
connect to international airports in ways often more timely and 
efficient than airline travel.
  And that's just the way it is.

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