[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 148 (Wednesday, September 17, 2008)]
[House]
[Pages H8338-H8341]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        RECOGNIZING NORTH PLATTE, NEBRASKA, AS ``RAIL TOWN USA''

  Ms. CORRINE BROWN of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the 
rules and agree to the concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 408) 
recognizing North Platte, Nebraska, as ``Rail Town USA''.
  The Clerk read the title of the concurrent resolution.
  The text of the concurrent resolution is as follows:

                            H. Con. Res. 408

       Whereas the community of North Platte, Nebraska, in western 
     Nebraska is located at the convergence of the North and South 
     Platte Rivers and possesses a rich and vibrant history;
       Whereas the railroad has played a significant role in the 
     history of the community;
       Whereas, on January 2, 1867, main line operations 
     officially commenced in North Platte, Nebraska;
       Whereas trains were vital during our country's war efforts, 
     transporting troops, equipment, and supplies across the 
     country;
       Whereas during World War II hundreds of citizens from North 
     Platte, Nebraska, assembled at the local depot to greet 
     troops passing through town by train and provide soldiers 
     with food, coffee, and gifts;
       Whereas for 54 months between 1941 and 1946, millions of 
     troops found a small bit of comfort when their trains stopped 
     in North Platte, Nebraska;
       Whereas at the war's peak 3,000 to 5,000 personnel were 
     greeted daily, with North Platte, Nebraska, sometimes hosting 
     up to 20 trains a day;
       Whereas Bailey Yard in North Platte, Nebraska, is the 
     largest railroad classification yard in the world;
       Whereas Bailey Yard covers 2,850 acres, reaching a total 
     length of 8 miles, and contains 315 miles of track;
       Whereas every 24 hours, Bailey Yard handles 10,000 railroad 
     cars; and
       Whereas Mid-Plains Community College in North Platte, 
     Nebraska, offers railroad-specific courses in order to 
     enhance student preparation for possible employment in the 
     railroad discipline: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate 
     concurring), That Congress recognizes North Platte, Nebraska, 
     as ``Rail Town USA''.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentlewoman from 
Florida (Ms. Corrine Brown) and the gentleman from Missouri (Mr. 
Graves) each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from Florida.


                             General Leave

  Ms. CORRINE BROWN of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent 
that all Members have 5 legislative days within which to revise and 
extend their remarks and include additional materials on House 
Concurrent Resolution 408.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentlewoman from Florida?
  There was no objection.
  Ms. CORRINE BROWN of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself as much 
time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, we are seeing a rebirth of the passenger and freight 
rail industry in this country, and it couldn't come soon enough. This 
week, Congress

[[Page H8339]]

is working on legislation that will help provide solutions to the 
energy crisis this Nation is facing. One sure way to do this is to 
increase the use of passenger and freight rail.
  The only current mode of transportation that is greener than rail is 
your sneakers. Freight rail has made major gains in fuel efficiency 
through training and improved locomotive technology. A single 
intermodal train can take up to 280 trucks off of the highways. Today, 
one gallon of diesel fuel can move a ton of freight an average of 414 
miles, a 76 percent improvement since 1980.
  Passenger rail ability to reduce congestion is well known, with 
ridership numbers increasing steadily each year. One full passenger 
train can take up to 250-350 cars off of the road.
  Passenger rail also consumes less energy than both automobiles and 
commercial airlines. Every industrialized country in the world is 
already using high-speed rail to effectively move citizens in an 
environmentally friendly way. Sadly, the United States used to be the 
leader in rail; now we're the caboose, and they don't even use cabooses 
anymore. Fortunately, we will be changing that with the upcoming 
passage of the Amtrak Reauthorization bill.
  Today, we celebrate the contributions of our Nation's rail once again 
by recognizing North Platte, Nebraska, as ``Rail Town, USA.''
  North Platte has a long and storied history as a railroad town. 
During World War II, North Platte hosted up to 20 trains full of 
soldiers each day, and today is home to the Bailey Yard, which is 
considered the largest rail classification yard in the world, handling 
10,000 railroad cars each day.
  From 1941-1946, more than six million service men and women were 
greeted by North Platte volunteers who provided food, needed supplies 
and hospitality to the World War II veterans and provided care baskets 
to wounded soldiers returning home.
  I want to commend Congressman Smith for this legislation and thank 
the town of North Platte, Nebraska, for the contributions to our brave 
soldiers during World War II.
  I urge Members to support this resolution.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. GRAVES. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I support this resolution recognizing North Platte, 
Nebraska, as ``Rail Town USA.''
  North Platte is home to Bailey Yard, recognized by the Guinness Book 
of World Records as the world's largest railroad classification yard.
  At Bailey Yard, as was pointed out by the gentlelady, an astounding 
10,000 rail cars a day are sorted and put together in trains that move 
freight all across this country. These trains are loaded with 
commodities that keep our economy going, ranging everywhere from 
groceries to building supplies, from coal to new automobiles. The yard 
is home to over 2,600 hardworking railroad employees. And Bailey Yard 
covers 2,850,000 acres containing 315 miles of track.
  The Union Pacific Railroad, Madam Speaker, has invested heavily in 
Bailey Yard, over $100 million in the modern area. This kind of 
investment in rail infrastructure is exactly what this country needs to 
keep our economy strong.
  Railroads are a very important component of our Nation's 
transportation infrastructure and we should continue to support the 
rail industry.
  In that spirit, I urge passage of H. Con. Res. 408, honoring North 
Platte's contribution to our country's economic vitality.
  Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

                              {time}  1600

  Ms. CORRINE BROWN of Florida. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of 
my time.
  Mr. GRAVES. Madam Speaker, I would like to recognize Mr. Adrian Smith 
who is the original cosponsor, the primary sponsor of this legislation. 
I yield him as much time as he may consume.
  Mr. SMITH of Nebraska. Thank you, I appreciate that.
  First I would like to thank Chairman Oberstar, Chairwoman Brown, 
Ranking Member Mica and Ranking Member Shuster for their support of 
this resolution. As you've heard, this resolution would recognize North 
Platte, Nebraska, as Rail Town USA. North Platte is a thriving 
community of over 25,000 people possessing a rich history dating back 
to before it was organized as a city in 1874.
  Today North Platte is home to Bailey Yard, owned and operated by the 
Union Pacific Railroad. Bailey Yard is the largest rail classification 
yard in the world. Every 24 hours, Bailey Yard handles 10,000 railroad 
cars and an average of 135 trains bound for cities as distant as the 
east, west, and gulf coasts of America, as well as the Canadian and 
Mexican borders.
  In addition to the current importance of the railroad to North 
Platte, the community and railroad also share a storied past of 
goodwill during World War II. For 54 months between 1941 and 1946, 
millions of troops found a small bit of comfort when their trains 
stopped in North Platte. One December day, word spread that Company D 
of Nebraska's National Guard was going to travel through North Platte 
later that morning. As it does in close-knit communities, word traveled 
rapidly. Though the train was scheduled to arrive mid-morning, no train 
had arrived by 4:30 p.m. Shortly thereafter, the nearly 500 people who 
had gathered to show support for their fellow Nebraskans were instead 
surprised to find the train loaded with troops from Kansas. Though not 
their expected native sons and daughters, the Nebraskans gathered would 
not let these brave young men travel on without knowing they were 
supported and honored. They were offered food, coffee and gifts, just 
as if they were Nebraska's own.
  Rae Wilson, in fact, a sister to one of the troops from Nebraska, 
took it upon herself to write a letter to the local paper suggesting 
that citizens gather for all trains of troops passing through North 
Platte. On December 22, 1941, a canteen committee was organized, and 
Rae was chosen as chairwoman. Just 3 days later, the canteen officially 
opened its doors from 5 a.m. to midnight, all volunteers. During its 
busiest period, the canteen would be open 24 hours a day, again, all 
volunteers honoring the troops.
  Before Union Pacific switched to diesel-electric power, North Platte 
was a designated servicing point. While the trains were being serviced, 
soldiers visited the canteen. At the war's peak, 3,000 to 5,000 
personnel were greeted daily with North Platte sometimes hosting up to 
20 trains a day. In fact, these volunteers from 125 communities in and 
around the State contributed with donations of time, money, supplies, 
food and smiles. More than 6 million service men and women who traveled 
through Nebraska during World War II were greeted by the North Platte 
Canteen. A total of $137,000, and more than that in cash, was 
contributed to the canteen over its operation.
  Today the effort of the North Platte Canteen during World War II is 
still a source of pride within the community and throughout Nebraska. 
And the town's relationship with the railroad continues to be 
recognized as an important part of North Platte's history.
  I would like to elaborate, Madam Speaker, that today, as we look at 
the canteen issues and the railroad in general, we know that North 
Platte, the railroad and the Bailey Yard contributed significantly to 
our energy supply, with coal trains coming through from the coal fields 
of Wyoming. They come through Nebraska and many other places, but this 
rail yard specifically, and there are thousands of workers, 
specifically many workers associated with the United Transportation 
Union, who are employed with good jobs contributing to the energy 
supply of our Nation.
  I only hope that we can come up with a policy that is more friendly 
to clean coal. And this can help all of us. This provides jobs for 
those in middle America. But more than that, it provides a stimulus 
package, if you will, that is through more affordable energy.
  Ms. CORRINE BROWN of Florida. Once again I want to add that for 
better than 4 years, day in and day out, over 50,000 people contributed 
food, money and efforts to one of the proudest moments in our history 
during World War II. Day in and day out, from early in the morning 
until the last train would leave at night, between 2,000 and 5,000 
soldiers and sailors

[[Page H8340]]

would be fed nearly 200 loaves of bread, 100 pounds of meat, 50 pounds 
of coffee and over 100 quarts of milk. More than 300 organizations made 
sandwiches, boiled eggs, fried chicken and baked cakes and pies. The 
war wounded were provided with razors, canes, toothbrushes and care 
baskets to make their return home a welcome one. One of the most famous 
residents of North Platte was Colonel William F. Cody, best known as 
Buffalo Bill. Buffalo Bill made North Platte his home for more than 30 
years.
  Today North Platte is the home of Bailey Yard and operated by Union 
Pacific Railroad. It is considered the largest rail classification yard 
in the world. Every 24 hours, Bailey Yard handles over 10,000 railroad 
cars. Bailey Yard handles daily an average of 135 trains bound for 
cities as far distant as the east, west and gulf coasts of America, as 
well as the Canadian and Mexican borders.
  I really want to be one of the ones to offer congratulations and our 
thanks as a grateful people to North Platte.
  I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. GRAVES. Madam Speaker, I would yield such time as he may consume 
to the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. McCotter).
  Mr. McCOTTER. The joys of a segue.
  It's right in this time to concede that despite Republicans over the 
course of August talking about the Democratic majority taking a 5-week 
paid vacation, that we do recognize when this institution has acted 
with due alacrity. Today we have before us the opportunity to name 
North Platte, Nebraska, Rail Town USA. We could not have done so at a 
better time, because jumping into the competition for the coveted title 
of Rail Town USA is Washington, D.C.
  This week we have seen a bill drafted in the dead of night, sent to 
this floor and rubber-stamped by the Democratic majority and proclaimed 
to solve America's energy crisis. This is as unfortunate as it is 
injurious. America has an energy crisis. It also has representative 
institutions who seek to deal with this problem, so the processes put 
forward, so that the voices of our constituents could be heard, so that 
true compromise could be found.
  And yet in Rail Town Washington, what have we seen as a result? A 
sham energy bill sent to a Democratic Senate by a Democratic House, and 
a pronunciation from a Democratic Senator herself was that the bill was 
dead on arrival. What we do today is important to recognize Rail Town 
USA. But as the gentlelady pointed out, what Americans can do and the 
challenges they can transcend acting together is what truly makes North 
Platte, Nebraska, Rail Town USA, because it shows what, in a time of 
crisis, people coming together for the common good, sincerely and 
earnestly, putting forth the effort can accomplish. We could well learn 
and emulate their efforts. And yet we do not.
  In this time where Americans are suffering, they should expect no 
less from their servants in Congress than to do this. Because to do 
anything else is to diminish not only ourselves as your servants, if 
that were possible in this Democratic Congress, but it diminishes the 
institution itself as a beacon of representative democracy for all the 
world.
  Critically, I think we can change this. I think there is still time 
that we could learn from the people of North Platte, Nebraska, and 
their worthy history, that we still have time to come together. And if 
we do not come together before this Congress adjourns, a relatively 
short period of time, I suggest we make a commitment to each other, 
like the people of North Platte, Nebraska. Let us tell the American 
people that until this energy crisis of our time is solved, until their 
servants in the United States Congress come together on a truly 
bipartisan bill that can be signed into law and relieve your pain at 
the pump and guarantee American energy and security, we will stay here. 
We will serve the full time that you elected us to work in this Chamber 
on your behalf. Because to leave here and go play politics while the 
American people suffer is not worthy of this institution, and it is 
certainly not worthy of the example set forward by the people of North 
Platte, Nebraska, Rail Town USA.
  Ms. CORRINE BROWN of Florida. Madam Speaker, how much time remains on 
both sides, please?
  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Ms. Baldwin). The gentlewoman from Florida 
controls 15 remaining minutes, and the gentleman from Missouri controls 
10\1/2\ remaining minutes.
  Ms. CORRINE BROWN of Florida. Madam Speaker, I don't want the people 
at home to get confused. Today we are honoring the people of North 
Platte, USA, for their major contribution as far as rail is concerned. 
But I think that there is no stronger bill more that we can do in this 
Congress than to pass the Amtrak bill. I want to be clear. I mention 
that Congress is working on legislation that would provide solutions to 
the energy crisis. And the solution, in my opinion, is not just 
drilling. That is one of the comprehensive proposals.
  But the major solution to our problem in this country as far as 
energy is concerned is not just to provide drilling off the Florida 
coast. It is also to provide rail service. We, in this country, as I 
say over and over and over again, are the caboose. The caboose. And we 
don't use cabooses in trains anymore. I went from downtown Paris to 
downtown Brussels, over 200 miles, 1 hour and 15 minutes, downtown 
Barcelona to downtown Madrid, 300 miles, in 2\1/2\ hours. That is the 
future of our country. We have to move people, goods and services, if 
we are going to be competitive with the rest of the world. Our 
competition is moving. We need to move America and to understand the 
solution to the problem is not by drilling and drilling alone.
  I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. GRAVES. Madam Speaker, before I close, I want to thank the 
gentlelady from Florida for pointing out that passing Amtrak or Amtrak 
rail service is very important. It is extremely important to be able to 
move people around in a much more efficient way. And I might remind the 
gentlelady that Amtrak depends on one thing, and that is diesel fuel. 
And you can't have diesel fuel if you don't have drilling. As long as 
we are dependent on nations such as Saudi Arabia and such as Venezuela, 
we're going to be continually at their mercy when it comes to getting 
those resources. But we have to have drilling to have diesel fuels to 
have trains on the track. It is all interconnected, and it's all very 
important.
  The gentlelady is exactly right. Rail service in this country can do 
a whole lot toward taking vehicles off the road. And bringing our rail 
service back in this country I think is a very worthy goal for the 
United States. Moving as much goods and people by rail, I think, just 
makes it more efficient.
  I mentioned before that every single thing in this country moves. 
It's either by train or by plane or by ship or by barge or by pipeline 
or by truck or by car. But every single thing in this country moves. 
And every person in this country moves. And when we get more efficient 
and put them on a train, we need diesel fuel. And the only way we are 
going to get diesel fuel is to have more oil production in the United 
States and be able to refine it.
  I appreciate what the gentlelady has done today, particularly with 
North Platte. North Platte is one big rail facility, a big rail 
facility out in Nebraska. Obviously Adrian is doing a fantastic job for 
his area. I want to thank the gentlelady. She has a lot of heart, and 
she is one of my favorite people in Congress.
  I yield back the balance of my time.

                              {time}  1615

  Ms. CORRINE BROWN of Florida. In closing, once again let's thank the 
people of North Platte for what they have done during World War II. 
Also, as we move forward in discussing energy, we need comprehensive 
energy. One thing that was missing was coal. We have enough coal in 
this country for 600 years. I know that burning coal sometimes pollutes 
the air, but any country that can go to the moon, we can come up with a 
way to burn coal and not be dependent.
  So we need a comprehensive approach to energy. The answer is not just 
drilling. We need comprehensive approaches to dealing with our moving 
people, goods and services so we can be competitive with our 
competition.
  Mr. OBERSTAR. Madam Speaker, I rise in support of H. Con. Res. 408, 
recognizing North Platte, Nebraska, as ``Rail Town USA.''
  North Platte has a rich tradition of railroading. The Union Pacific 
Railroad flrst entered North Platte on December 3, 1866, as

[[Page H8341]]

railroads were building into the West and just one month later, on 
January 2, 1867, main line operations began through the city of North 
Platte.
  During World War II, the city was best known for the North Platte 
Canteen, which served as a major rest point for soldiers heading across 
the country by rail to fight in the war. The people of North Platte 
famously brought food, water, and other necessities to more than 6 
million members of the armed forces passing through the city.
  Today, North Platte is served only by freight trains, but it is home 
to one of the most important rail yards in the world. The Bailey Yard, 
named after former Union Pacific President Ed Bailey, is now recognized 
by the Guinness Book of Records as the world's largest classification 
yard. It sits on 2,850 acres of land in North Platte, is 8 miles long, 
and is home to 315 miles of track.
  Bailey Yard prepares approximately 135 trains, or 10,000 individual 
rail cars, each day, shipping home products, food, coal, lumber, and 
many other necessary goods destined for every corner of the country.
  North Platte's contribution to the rail industry increased in the 
1990s when Bailey Yard added east- and west-bound locomotive fueling 
and servicing centers that now handle more than 8,500 locomotives per 
month.
  Railroads are often considered a barometer of the American economy. 
When trains are moving--America is moving. To watch cars pass through 
Bailey Yard is to see America moving forward, and the people of North 
Platte are at the center of Bailey Yard's success: more than 2,600 
residents of North Platte work at Bailey Yard, which makes up more than 
10 percent of North Platte's population of 23,878.
  This weekend, North Platte is celebrating its railroading heritage at 
Rail Fest, where attendees will get the chance to see historic rail 
cars and locomotives, tour Bailey Yard, learn about each job in the 
rail yard through actual hands-on training, learn about railroad 
safety, and learn more about the history of railroading in North 
Platte.
  Madam Speaker, I congratulate Notth Platte for their successes and 
urge my colleagues to join me in agreeing to H. Con. Res. 480, 
recognizing North Platte, Nebraska, as ``Rail Town USA''.
  Ms. CORRINE BROWN of Florida. Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance 
of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentlewoman from Florida (Ms. Corrine Brown) that the House suspend the 
rules and agree to the concurrent resolution, H. Con. Res. 408.
  The question was taken.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds 
being in the affirmative, the ayes have it.
  Mr. GRAVES. Madam Speaker, I object to the vote on the ground that a 
quorum is not present and make the point of order that a quorum is not 
present.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX and the 
Chair's prior announcement, further proceedings on this motion will be 
postponed.
  The point of no quorum is considered withdrawn.

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