[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 97 (Thursday, June 12, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1225]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         PASSENGER RAIL INVESTMENT AND IMPROVEMENT ACT OF 2008

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                           HON. ANDRE CARSON

                               of indiana

                    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. CARSON of Indiana. Mr. Chairman, I rise today in strong support 
of H.R. 6003, the Passenger Rail Investment and Improvement Act of 
2008. As this country's sole provider of regularly scheduled intercity 
passenger rail service, Amtrak's importance and necessity to all 
Americans is clear. In the face of continually rising gas prices, 
overloaded highways and congested airports, many Americans are being 
forced to make difficult financial decisions regarding their modes of 
travel. Amtrak has become an ever more viable transportation option at 
such a time, and continues to be a practical option for many of those 
people searching for an efficient and economical travel alternative.
  Mr. Chairman, as you know, Amtrak carried almost 25.8 million 
passengers and posted approximately $1.5 billion in ticket revenue in 
2007. This is a gain of 10 percent over FY06 ticket revenues, and is 
the third consecutive year that ticket revenues have increased. It is 
through a combination of increased profits and a reauthorization bill 
that proposes $14.4 billion dollars over the next five years that 
Amtrak will have an incredible opportunity to thrive and flourish.
  H.R. 6003 does much to aid in the continued growth and vitality of 
Amtrak. The bill authorizes $4.2 billion to Amtrak for capital grants 
and $3 billion for operating grants. It is no secret that inconsistent 
Federal support has hampered Amtrak's ability to replace equipment 
necessary for it to provide service. These capital grants will help 
Amtrak make additional capital improvements and maintenance over its 
entire network. In addition, the operating grants authorized under the 
bill will help Amtrak pay salaries, health costs, overtime pay, fuel 
costs, facilities, and train maintenance and operations. These 
operating grants will also ensure that Amtrak can meet its obligations 
under its recently negotiated labor contract.
  The Amtrak reauthorization bill also does much for intercity and high 
speed passenger rail in this country. The bill creates a new State 
Capital Grant program for intercity passenger rail and capital 
projects. It also recommends that the United States establish a high-
speed rail network for the entire country. The bill authorizes $1.75 
billion for grants to States and Amtrak to finance the construction and 
equipment for 11 authorized high-speed rail corridors.
  However, Amtrak still has many hurdles to overcome, the biggest of 
which is its $3.17 billion worth of debt. Although Amtrak has taken 
great steps in reducing its debt by almost $600 million since 2002, it 
still has a long way to go. As a result, this bill explicitly helps 
Amtrak manage its debt by authorizing $345 million each year for debt 
service through FY2013.
  Mr. Chairman, I am particularly pleased and grateful to the 
committee, under the leadership of Chairman Oberstar and Chairwoman 
Brown, for including a provision that calls for a report on Amtrak's 
utilization of the Beech Grove repair facility in my congressional 
district. The report will also include an examination to determine the 
extent that Amtrak is maximizing the opportunities for each facility, 
including any attempts to provide maintenance and repair to other rail 
carriers. As the largest Amtrak maintenance facility in the country, it 
is my belief that the Beech Grove facility is underutilized and that 
Amtrak can bring more maintenance work to this facility.
  Mr. Chairman, this piece of legislation is long overdue and much 
needed. It is time for us to give Amtrak all the funding and 
opportunities it needs to become a more efficient and effective travel 
alternative for Americans. I am pleased that we are bringing this bill 
to the floor and I urge all my colleagues to vote in favor of this 
legislation.

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