[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 31 (Monday, February 23, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E295]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




CONFERENCE REPORT ON H.R. 1, AMERICAN RECOVERY AND REINVESTMENT ACT OF 
                                  2009

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                               speech of

                             HON. DON YOUNG

                               of alaska

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, February 13, 2009

  Mr. YOUNG of Alaska. Mr. Speaker, it is essential that our Nation's 
ports have a reliable funding stream for vital projects that are 
``ready to go'' in ports around the nation. The Maritime Administration 
has identified more than $1.5 billion in immediate opportunities to 
fund ready-to-go port landside projects. Ports are a key component of 
our national intermodal transportation system. MARAD has conservatively 
estimated that funding $1.5 billion in ready to go projects will add 
80,000 direct and indirect jobs to the economy. These port projects are 
essential to our ports fulfilling their roles in our national defense, 
transportation, commerce, and homeland security systems. All other 
transportation modes, including highways, transit, rail, aviation, and 
ferries have dedicated funding in the Transportation Infrastructure 
sections of H.R. 1. Ports do not have such a dedicated source of 
funding. However, I want to state for the record that ports are 
eligible for funds in the $1.5 billion discretionary competitive grant 
funding made available by this bill to the Secretary of Transportation. 
In addition ports are eligible for funds under the Surface 
Transportation formula funds made available to States under this bill.
  Mr. Speaker, the Secretary of Transportation, working with MARAD, 
should ensure that ports, like rail, transit, highways and aviation 
also have a secure stream of funding for much needed ``ready to go'' 
intermodal infrastructure investments. Ports all over the country, 
including in my own State, are ready to put thousands of people to work 
immediately on vital port infrastructure projects.
  Mr. Speaker, I know that the entire House, indeed the entire Congress 
agrees that it won't do much good to have improved highways, rail, and 
air transportation if our ports are crumbling, overcrowded, and 
outdated.

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