[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 22 (Wednesday, February 4, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E196]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             AMERICAN RECOVERY AND REINVESTMENT ACT OF 2009

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                             HON. PHIL HARE

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, January 28, 2009

       The House in Committee of the Whole House on the State of 
     the Union had under consideration the bill (H.R. 1) making 
     supplemental appropriations for job preservation and 
     creation, infrastructure investment, energy efficiency and 
     science, assistance to the unemployed, and State and local 
     fiscal stabilization, for fiscal year ending September 30, 
     2009, and for other purposes:

  Mr. HARE. Mr. Chair, I rise today in strong opposition to the 
amendment submitted by my colleague from Arizona, Mr. Flake.
  The amendment would slash funding for an essential service to the 
American people, Amtrak. Amtrak is the main provider of all intercity 
passenger rail service in the United States and it is a key component 
of the American economy.
  Amtrak is a safe, energy efficient transportation alternative that 
moves thousands of people and tons of cargo every day. It also employs 
thousands of Americans across the country. What started as a proposal 
for a minimum of $5 billion in funding has already been reduced to $1.1 
billion in the base bill. Further cuts are unacceptable; they would 
prevent the development of intercity passenger rail in communities such 
as the Quad Cities in my home state of Illinois. We are fighting to re-
establish the Quad Cities to Chicago route which would help commuters 
with their work-day travel and make the Quad Cities more desirable for 
new businesses and economic development. Additionally, the Quad Cities 
is the only community of its size in the entire country that does not 
have a four-year institution of higher education. Amtrak service would 
expedite plans already underway to establish the tech and engineering 
branch of Western Illinois University in Moline, which is why I offered 
an amendment to add $500 million for capital assistance for intercity 
passenger rail service.
  In addition to the benefits Amtrak provides my own community, it also 
impacts the entire nation. For every $1 billion invested in 
transportation infrastructure, over 40,000 jobs are created and $6.2 
billion in economic activity is generated. Federal funding for Amtrak 
and passenger rail would boost the economy and create jobs all across 
America.
  It is time to invest in America's future. I urge my colleagues to 
vote no on this amendment and to preserve the transportation and energy 
future of America's cities.

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