[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 111 (Wednesday, July 22, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1889]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          EARMARK DECLARATION

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                         HON. VERNON J. EHLERS

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, July 22, 2009

  Mr. EHLERS. Madam Speaker, pursuant to the Republican Leadership 
standards, I am submitting the following information regarding projects 
I received funding for as part of the Transportation, Housing and Urban 
Development, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 
2010.
  Requesting Member: Congressman Vernon J. Ehlers
  Bill Number: H.R.
  Agency: Federal Transit Administration
  Account: Buses & Bus Facilities
  Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Barry County Transit
  Address of Requesting Entity: 1216 W. State Street, Hastings, MI 
49058
  Description of Request: This bill provides $127,000 for vehicle 
equipment replacement and building repair. This funding is a valuable 
use of taxpayer money because it will replace two expansion vans that 
provide safe and efficient transportation to a growing rural senior and 
physically challenged population in Barry County. It will also provide 
for replacement radios and building repair.
  Requesting Member: Congressman Vernon J. Ehlers
  Bill Number: H.R.
  Agency: Federal Transit Administration
  Account: Buses & Bus Facilities
  Legal Name of Requesting Entity: City of Belding Dial-A-Ride
  Address of Requesting Entity: 100 Depot Street, Belding, MI 48809
  Description of Request: This bill provides $63,000 for the City of 
Belding Dial-A-Ride. This funding is a valuable use of taxpayer money 
because it will go towards the purchase of a lift-equipped bus, which 
will replace an older bus that has met its useful life.
  Requesting Member: Congressman Vernon J. Ehlers
  Bill Number: H.R.
  Agency: Federal Highway Administration
  Account: Surface Transportation Priorities
  Legal Name of Requesting Entity: City of Grand Rapids, Michigan
  Address of Requesting Entity: 300 Monroe Ave, NW, Grand Rapids, MI 
49503
  Description of Request: This bill provides $500,000 for the Wealthy 
Street Extension. This funding is a valuable use of taxpayer money 
because the construction project will extend Wealthy Street and improve 
the existing street network in the vicinity of Millennium Park, which 
will ease traffic congestion and create an alternative artery to US-
131.
  Requesting Member: Congressman Vernon J. Ehlers
  Bill Number: H.R.
  Agency: Federal Transit Administration
  Account: Buses & Bus Facilities
  Legal Name of Requesting Entity: City of Ionia Dial-A-Ride
  Address of Requesting Entity: 251 East Adams Street, Ionia, MI 48846
  Description of Request: This bill provides $100,000 for the City of 
Ionia Dial-A-Ride. This funding is a valuable use of taxpayer money 
because it will upgrade the Dial-A-Ride's facility. The upgrades 
include a new emergency generator, parking resurfacing, a new heater, 
and a new irrigation system.
  Requesting Member: Congressman Vernon J. Ehlers
  Bill Number: H.R.
  Agency: Federal Transit Administration
  Account: Alternatives Analysis
  Legal Name of Requesting Entity: The Rapid
  Address of Requesting Entity: 300 Ellsworth Ave, SW, Grand Rapids, MI 
49503
  Description of Request: This bill provides $360,000 for a Streetcar 
Alternative Analysis Study. This funding is a valuable use of taxpayer 
money because it will allow the Rapid to assess the ridership 
projections, economic development potential and funding options that 
will determine if a streetcar system would be a valuable investment in 
the Grand Rapids metro area. The study is to examine different models 
of public and private partnerships to build the infrastructure and 
operate the system.

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