[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 70 (Thursday, May 7, 2009)]
[Senate]
[Pages S5297-S5298]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                           NATIONAL TRAIN DAY

  Mr. REID. Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that the Commerce 
Committee be discharged from further consideration of S. Res. 125.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  The clerk will report the resolution by title.
  The legislative clerk read as follows:

       A resolution (S. Res. 125) in support and recognition of 
     National Train Day, May 9, 2009.

  There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the 
resolution.
  Mr. REID. Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that the 
resolution be agreed to, the preamble be agreed to, the motions to 
reconsider be laid upon the table en bloc, and any statements be 
printed in the Record.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  The resolution (S. Res. 125) was agreed to.
  The preamble was agreed to.
  The resolution, with its preamble, reads as follows:

[[Page S5298]]

                              S. Res. 125

       Whereas, in May 1869, the ``golden spike'' was driven into 
     the final tie at Promontory Summit, Utah to join the Central 
     Pacific and the Union Pacific Railroads, ceremonially 
     completing the first transcontinental railroad and therefore 
     connecting both coasts of the United States;
       Whereas, Amtrak trains and infrastructure carry commuters 
     to and from work in congested metropolitan areas providing a 
     reliable rail option and reducing congestion on roads and in 
     the skies;
       Whereas, for many rural Americans, Amtrak represents the 
     only major intercity transportation link to the rest of the 
     country;
       Whereas, passenger trains provide a more fuel-efficient 
     transportation system thereby providing cleaner 
     transportation alternatives and energy security;
       Whereas, intercity passenger rail was 18 percent more 
     energy efficient than airplanes and 25 percent more energy 
     efficient than automobiles on a per-passenger-mile basis in 
     2006;
       Whereas, Amtrak annually provides intercity passenger rail 
     travel to over 28 million Americans residing in 46 states;
       Whereas, an increasing number of people are using trains 
     for travel purposes beyond commuting to and from work; and
       Whereas, community railroad stations are a source of civic 
     pride, a gateway to over 500 of our Nation's communities, and 
     a tool for economic growth: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate supports the goals and ideals of 
     National Train Day, as designated by Amtrak.

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