[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 111 (Tuesday, July 27, 2010)]
[House]
[Pages H6078-H6081]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               RECOGNIZING THE FREIGHT RAILROAD INDUSTRY

  Mr. COSTELLO. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to 
the resolution (H. Res. 1366) recognizing and honoring the freight rail 
industry, as amended.
  The Clerk read the title of the resolution.
  The text of the resolution is as follows:

                              H. Res. 1366

       Whereas the United States utilizes the most efficient and 
     productive freight railroad system in the world;
       Whereas freight rail has played a critical role in the 
     economic development of the United States and has helped to 
     build cities and strengthen infrastructure throughout this 
     great Nation;
       Whereas the first common carrier railroad in North America, 
     the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad, was chartered by the State of 
     Maryland in 1827;
       Whereas freight rail has been instrumental in bringing 
     American goods to market nationally and internationally since 
     1830;
       Whereas the United States freight rail network has over 560 
     railroad companies, includes 140,000 miles of track and 
     carries more than 2,200,000,000 tons of freight annually;
       Whereas 43 percent of all intercity freight volume is moved 
     by freight rail, including the clothes we wear, the food we 
     eat, the coal we use for domestic energy, and the automobiles 
     we drive;
       Whereas freight railroads have nearly doubled the amount of 
     cargo they have shipped over the past 3 decades with 
     virtually no increase in fuel consumption;
       Whereas freight rail is one of the most fuel-efficient 
     modes of transportation, able to move one ton of freight 480 
     miles on 1 gallon of diesel fuel;
       Whereas freight railroads have increased fuel economy by an 
     average of 45 percent since 1990;
       Whereas, from 1980 to 2009, United States freight railroads 
     consumed 55,000,000,000 fewer gallons of fuel and emitted 
     617,000,000 fewer tons of carbon dioxide than they would have 
     if their fuel efficiency had not improved;
       Whereas the freight railroad sector complies with the 
     Environmental Protection Agency's new locomotive emissions 
     standards which will cut particulate emissions by up to 90 
     percent and nitrogen oxide emissions by up to 80 percent;
       Whereas the freight rail industry has created good-paying 
     jobs and provided its workers with good benefits, and as of 
     2008, there were 183,743 employees working for the freight 
     railroads;
       Whereas freight rail continues to play a vital role in the 
     United States growth, job creation, and economic recovery;
       Whereas freight rail companies have reinvested 
     $460,000,000,000 in revenues toward equipment, maintenance, 
     and rail expansion since 1980, which has supported employment 
     and economic activity throughout the United States;
       Whereas such investments have continued even during the 
     economic downturn, with major railroads spending more than 
     $10,000,000,000 in 2008 on capital improvements and similar 
     amounts in 2009;
       Whereas for every $1 invested in freight rail capacity, the 
     national economy sees $3 in economic output;
       Whereas freight rail growth will continue to generate jobs 
     and produce a reliable means of transporting goods;
       Whereas the seven Class I freight railroads have joined the 
     Environmental Protection Agency's ``SmartWay Transport'', 
     which works to improve fuel efficiency and reduce harmful 
     greenhouse gases;
       Whereas both the public and private sector and organized 
     labor have contributed significantly toward the creation of 
     the freight rail infrastructure we use today;
       Whereas the freight rail industry has built one of the 
     world's most envied infrastructure networks; and
       Whereas a strong freight rail system is critical to the 
     economic and environmental well-being of the United States of 
     America: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
       (1) recognizes the contributions the freight rail industry 
     and its employees have made to the national transportation 
     system; and
       (2) supports the efforts of the freight rail industry and 
     its employees to continue improving safety as our Nation 
     moves forward with developing its infrastructure.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Illinois (Mr. Costello) and the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. 
Shuster) each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Illinois.


                             General Leave

  Mr. COSTELLO. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members 
may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their 
remarks and to include extraneous material on H. Res. 1366.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Illinois?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. COSTELLO. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Res. 1366, as amended, 
introduced by the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Hare), which honors the 
freight railroad industry and its employees and the important 
contributions they have made to our Nation and the national 
transportation system.
  Freight railroads have a long important history in the United States. 
Beginning in the early 1800s, during the Industrial Revolution, freight 
railroads played a critical role in the expansion and economic 
development of the Nation. Since May 24, 1830, when the Baltimore Ohio 
Railroad, now part of the CSX, the Nation's first common-carrier 
railroad, opened for business from Baltimore West to Ellicott City, 
freight rail has helped bring American goods to markets domestically 
and internationally. On May 10, 1869, the industry literally 
transformed America when the golden spike was driven into the final tie 
that joined 1,776 miles of the Central Pacific and Union Pacific 
railways, creating the Nation's first transcontinental railroad.
  Today the freight rail industry employs more than 183,000 
hardworking, dedicated Americans who help keep our country and its 
trains moving 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Our freight rail industry 
boasts a vast network across the country. There are more than 560 
freight rail companies in the United States that operate 140,000 miles 
of track and carry more than 2.2 billion tons of freight annually.
  Freight rail is also one of the most energy-efficient modes of 
transportation. It is able to move one ton of freight 480 miles on one 
gallon of diesel fuel, and helps reduce congestion. One train can take 
280 trucks off the road, the equivalent of 1,100 automobiles.
  Freight and intercity passenger rails are also important components 
of our Nation's economic strength and mobility. Freight railroads 
account for 43 percent of intercity freight volume, more than any other 
mode of transportation.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting H. Res. 
1366.
  I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. SHUSTER. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise today to speak in support of H. Res. 1366, 
recognizing and honoring the United States freight rail industry. 
Before I do, I must note, once again, as other of my colleagues have, 
that every single transportation bill on today's suspension calendar is 
a Democratic bill. The majority has not been living up to the common 
practice of a 70/30 split on those suspension calendars. Currently, 
it's running at about 95-5 percent, although I am pleased to say that 
they've added three Republican suspension bills to the calendar later 
this week. So I hope the majority will continue to try to honor that 
common practice we've had in the House for a number of years.
  We are honoring the freight rails today because our freight rail 
network is the undisputed envy of the world. Every year freight trains 
move 40 tons of material for every man, woman and child in this 
country. Railroads provide a remarkable public benefit, reducing 
traffic on the highways, lowering pollution, and providing a less 
expensive mode of transit for freight. And this public benefit is 
provided at no expense to taxpayers.
  Perhaps the greatest thing about the railroad industry is that it 
utilizes private money rather than public funds to build and maintain 
its infrastructure. Investors risk billions of capital annually to 
support the Nation's railroads because these private companies

[[Page H6079]]

produce a reliable, although modest return to investors. We must not 
jeopardize this critical industry by over-regulating or re-regulating 
and creating an environment where railroads cannot access the capital 
to maintain and expand their operations.

                              {time}  1220

  Without this access to investment capital, the industry will decline, 
as it has in the past. And we don't want to be here 10 or 15 years from 
now discussing taxpayer subsidies for the freight rail industry.
  Over the course of the 20th century, Congress enacted policies that 
nearly ruined the railroads in the name of reducing shipping rates. 
These policies discouraged investors, and led to decay in the railroad 
industry. ``Standing derailments'' became common in this dark era, a 
term that was used for an idle freight car that simply collapses on its 
side because of rotten tracks. Over one-fifth of the Nation's railroads 
were owned by bankrupt firms by the end of the 1970s.
  But the Staggers Reform Act in 1980 created an environment that has 
led to the revitalized freight network we all benefit from today. 
Railroads are prosperous again, productivity has soared, and rail 
continues to gain market share thanks to improvements in service and 
competitive pricing. This reconnaissance culminated earlier this year 
when Warren Buffett made his $34 billion investment in the BNSF 
railroad.
  Despite the fact that shipping rates are much lower today than they 
were in the 1980s, and freight rates in the U.S. are half of what they 
are in Europe and Japan, the same forces are at play that nearly 
destroyed the railroads in the 20th century. Already the urge to 
regulate has led to a policy that will force the railroads to spend 
more than $12 billion on positive train control, a price tag that 
continues to grow at an alarming rate. Positive train control has a 
cost-benefit ratio of 20 to 1, and will prevent less than 3 percent of 
rail accidents. It is my belief that railroads themselves are the best 
judge of where to invest capital dollars for safety improvements, not 
Congress.
  We should work together with the railroads to identify areas of 
safety improvement that can be accomplished at a reasonable cost. And I 
believe we should reexamine the scope of the positive train control 
mandate.
  I note that this is the first time that Congress has considered a 
resolution recognizing and honoring the freight railroads alone. I 
think it's very appropriate, because the National Train Day resolution 
we passed earlier this year was changed from previous years' versions 
to focus solely on Amtrak and passenger rail. Amtrak operates primarily 
on private freight tracks. Without the continued economic vitality of 
the freight railroads and their constant investment in maintaining 
140,000 miles of track in the U.S., Amtrak would not have a national 
passenger rail system.
  In closing, I urge my colleagues to support H. Res. 1366, and believe 
that Congress should honor the freight rail industry by working to 
create an environment that will allow it to have continued success.
  I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. COSTELLO. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself 1 minute to respond to my 
friend, Mr. Shuster.
  Mr. Speaker, let me say for the record Mr. Shuster made a point that 
we have Democratic bills from the committee before the House today and 
no Republican bills. The gentleman may or may not know that this 
Thursday Chairman Oberstar has agreed to markup five Republican bills 
in the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee.
  For the record, I would point out that in the 110th and 111th 
Congress both, the committee passed well over 40, in fact I think 42 
bills out of the committee, and moved them through the House. So I 
would just for the record say that to my friend from Pennsylvania.
  Mr. SHUSTER. Will the gentleman yield?
  Mr. COSTELLO. I yield to the gentleman from Pennsylvania.
  Mr. SHUSTER. I would say thank you. I did make note we are getting 
three more bills, and we appreciate the effort.
  Mr. COSTELLO. Mr. Speaker, at this time I yield 5 minutes to the 
gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Hare), my friend and the sponsor of this 
resolution.
  Mr. HARE. Mr. Speaker, I would like to begin by thanking Chairman 
Oberstar, Ranking Member Mica, my friend Chairman Costello, and the 
staff of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee for 
their strong support of this important resolution.
  House Resolution 1366 formally recognizes the contributions and 
accomplishment of the freight rail industry and its employees 
throughout our great Nation. Like many of my colleagues on both sides 
of the aisle, freight rail is incredibly important to my district and 
my home State of Illinois.
  I have had the opportunity to see firsthand the hard work freight 
rail employees put forth each and every day. In cities like Galesburg, 
Rock Island, and Decatur, I am constantly reminded of the positive 
impact that this industry has had on the economies of the localities 
and the improvements of our Nation's transportation infrastructure.
  Throughout its rich American history, freight rail has proven time 
and again to be among the most efficient, environmentally friendly ways 
of transporting our Nation's goods. Freight rail generates hundreds of 
billions of dollars in annual economic activity, and supports over 1.2 
million jobs throughout the United States. As our economy continues to 
recover, the freight rail industry will be an essential component in 
fulfilling the great demand to move goods again and put more Americans 
back to work.
  I am proud to say that I have received letters of support for this 
resolution from both the business and the labor sector, including the 
Association of American Railroads, Growth Options for the 21st Century, 
and the Transportation Trades Department of the AFL-CIO.
  I have no doubt that the industry will continue to contribute in 
indispensable ways to the health and growth of the United States 
economy and our infrastructure, and will continue to reduce its impact 
on the environment.
  Again, I thank the chairman and my colleagues on the Transportation 
and Infrastructure Committee for supporting this resolution. I believe 
that Congress is long overdue in formally recognizing the industry and 
the vital role it continues to play in our country's growth, job 
creation, and economic recovery. I urge my friends on both sides of the 
aisle to support this noncontroversial resolution.

                                                    Association of


                                           American Railroads,

                                                     May 19, 2010.
     Hon. Phil Hare,
     Cannon House Office Building,
     Washington, DC.
       Dear Congressman Hare: I am writing in support of your 
     resolution recognizing and honoring America's freight rail 
     industry.
     H. Res. 1366 correctly notes that our nation's freight 
     railroads operate the safest, cleanest, most efficient and 
     most environmentally sound rail system in the world. We've 
     worked hard to earn these credentials and look to set the 
     standards even higher moving forward.
       Freight rail is a highly efficient industry that is 
     essential to the U.S. economy and economic recovery. Not only 
     does our industry employ nearly 190,000 well-paid workers, 
     the overwhelming majority which are union employees, but 
     freight rail also supports millions of jobs for workers in 
     American businesses that rely on our industry to ship their 
     goods.
       We are committed to continuing to provide the affordable, 
     efficient transportation our customers depend on. And we will 
     do so in the most environmentally sensitive and energy 
     efficient manner possible. As you so eloquently stated, 
     freight railroads meet our nation's transportation needs 
     today and will have an even more positive impact in the 
     future. We like to say that our nation's recovery is running 
     on our steel spine.
       Thank you again for taking the time to recognize our 
     industry and the important benefits we deliver for America.
           Sincerely,

                                          Edward R. Hamberger,

                                                     President and
     Chief Executive Officer.
                                  ____

                                                    Growth Options


                                         for the 21st Century,

                                     Alexandria, VA, May 20, 2010.
     Hon. Phil Hare,
     Member of Congress, Cannon House Office Building, Washington, 
         DC.
       Dear Congressman Hare: As President of Growth Options for 
     the 21st Century (Go21), I would like to thank you for 
     introducing
     H. Res. 1366 to help focus well deserved attention on the 
     important contributions of

[[Page H6080]]

     freight rail to improving quality of life in the United 
     States. As a nonprofit grassroots organization devoted to 
     advancing policies that maximize usage of our rail system, we 
     fully support H. Res. 1366.
       Since we founded Go21 in 2004, we have worked hard to 
     spread the word about the public benefits of rail. I am 
     pleased to say that to date, more than 3,500 community 
     leaders from all across the nation and every part of the 
     political spectrum have joined us in this effort. As your 
     resolution notes, a strong freight rail system is a key 
     component in rebuilding our nation's economy and creating 
     jobs. Able to move a ton of freight 480 miles on a single 
     gallon of fuel, rail is also helping to reduce our dependence 
     on foreign oil while also decreasing emissions of pollutants.
       In addition to the more than 190,000 Americans who make 
     their livings working directly for the railroads, thousands 
     more American jobs are dependent on the safe, efficient and 
     cost effective transportation that rail provides. As many 
     Go21 supporters can attest, rail is a vital link that is 
     helping to drive the economic recovery and create new jobs in 
     their own communities.
       Go21 strongly supports your efforts and
     H. Res. 1366 and encourages Congress to pass this resolution 
     with bi-partisan support.
           Sincerely,
                                                  William C. Gibb,
     President.
                                  ____



                             Transportation Trades Department,

                                    Washington, DC, July 20, 2010.
       Dear Representative: On behalf of the Transportation Trades 
     Department, AFL-CIO (TTD), including our affiliated rail 
     unions, I would like to express support for H. Res. 1366, 
     introduced by Representative Phil Hare, which recognizes and 
     honors the freight rail industry and its employees. For 
     decades, the rail industry and its dedicated workers have 
     contributed to our national transportation system and played 
     a significant role in the growth and development of America's 
     economy and infrastructure.
       Today freight rail generates nearly $265 billion in annual 
     economic activity, making it a critical component of our 
     national economy. The industry employs nearly two hundred 
     thousand rail workers; the vast majority of which earn good 
     pay and benefits through collective bargaining agreements. 
     These rail workers operate and oversee the system, working to 
     deliver tons of goods annually to destinations across the 
     country. In addition to the workers freight rail directly 
     employs, it also supports more than one million jobs in other 
     industries throughout our economy and is an important part of 
     our national transportation system.
       According to the Department of Transportation, by 2035 
     total freight transportation will rise 92 percent from 2002 
     levels; this includes an 88 percent increase for railroads. 
     Expanding freight rail infrastructure and capacity to meet 
     this demand is critical and will create thousands of 
     additional jobs across the country. During a time of historic 
     unemployment levels, the freight rail industry is well-
     positioned to put thousands of Americans back to work.
       To recognize the achievements of freight rail workers and 
     the entire industry, we ask that you support H. Res. 1366 and 
     advance polices that promote a rail system that creates and 
     sustains good jobs, protects workers, and continues to 
     enhance the safety and efficiency of the system.
           Sincerely,
                                                   Edward Wytkind,
                                                        President.

  Mr. OBERSTAR. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Res. 1366, 
as amended, which honors the freight railroad industry and its 
employees and the important contributions they have made to our nation 
and the national transportation system.
  Freight railroads have played an essential role in the growth of our 
country since 1825, when Colonel John Stevens, considered the father of 
railroads, demonstrated the feasibility of steam locomotion on a 
circular experimental track constructed on his estate in Hoboken, New 
Jersey. By 1830, railroads were still in their infancy and there was 
less than 40 miles of track in operation.
  However, Peter Cooper's Tom Thumb locomotive would change the face of 
railroad locomotion forever on August 28, 1830, when his American-built 
locomotive was challenged by horse-drawn equipment in a head-to-head 
race. The Tom Thumb easily pulled away from the horse until a belt on 
the locomotive slipped and failed. Though Peter Cooper and his 
locomotive lost the race, it was apparent that the locomotive offered 
superior performance. Steam locomotives would reign over American 
railroads for the next 100 years.
  From these very humble beginnings, railroads brought economic and 
social changes never dreamed of by early Americans. Just 10 years 
later, in 1840, railroad mileage increased to slightly over 2,800 
miles, tripling to over 9,000 miles by 1850. In 1860, mileage tripled 
again to more than 30,000 miles and brought prosperity to all the 
communities that railroads touched. Railroads moved manufactured goods, 
farm implements, and building materials to the west, while bringing 
meat, produce and other crops to the east. Steam locomotives raced 
along averaging 25 miles per hour, reducing trips that used to take 
days to hours. For example, a trip from Cincinnati, Ohio, to St. Louis, 
Missouri, was reduced from three days to just 16 hours.
  On July 1, 1862, the Pacific Railway Act of 1862, as enacted by 
Congress, was approved and signed into law by President Abraham 
Lincoln. This led to the creation of the first transcontinental 
railroad, when the Central Pacific Railroad and the Union Pacific 
Railroad linked at Promontory Summit, Utah, on May 10, 1869, connecting 
over 1700 miles of western railroads to the eastern railroads at the 
Missouri River. This established the first mechanized transcontinental 
transportation network that revolutionized the population and economy 
of the American west.
  While the railroads moved goods across the country and helped build 
cities and towns across the west, the railroad was also the hi-tech 
industry of its day, responsible for innovations such as ``standard 
time'' and pioneering the use of the telegraph as a nationwide 
dispatching communication system.
  The railroad industry was also a leader in bringing about worker 
protections. The Railway Labor Act of 1926 established basic principles 
of fair bargaining and mediation. Our Nation's social security system, 
enacted in 1935, was based partly on provisions of the Railroad 
Retirement Act of 1934. Today, more than 183,000 hardworking, dedicated 
Americans help keep our country and its trains moving around the clock.
  Our freight rail industry is composed of an efficient and well-
maintained network, moving 2.2 billion tons of freight over 140,000 
miles of railroad annually. Freight rail is also one of the most 
energy-efficient modes of transportation, moving one ton of freight 480 
miles on one gallon of diesel fuel. One train can take 280 trucks off 
the road--the equivalent of 1,100 automobiles.
  Freight and intercity passenger rail are important components of our 
nation's economic strength and mobility. Freight railroads account for 
43 percent of intercity freight volume--more than any other mode of 
transportation.
  I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting H. Res. 1366.
  Mr. QUIGLEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H. Res. 
1366 and to recognize the vital role that the freight rail industry 
plays in this country.
  When a massive volcano recently erupted in Iceland, ash spewed into 
the atmosphere cancelling thousands of flights and grounding travelers 
and goods across Europe.
  In the midst of this chaos and confusion, Europe's rail industry 
answered the call for everyone and everything that simply needed to get 
from point A to point B.
  Here in the United States, we must remember this.
  Our railroads are less susceptible to the unpredictable conditions 
caused by natural disasters, inclement weather, terrorist threats, and 
more.
  Since the 19th Century, American citizens and industry have placed 
their trust in rail. Its dependability is proven and unparalleled.
  I call on my colleagues to join me in recognizing the freight 
industry as one of our greatest assets and remember we must continue to 
advance, utilize, and invest in America's railways.
  Mr. BLUMENAUER. Mr. Speaker, I am proud today to support House 
Resolution 1366, Recognizing and Honoring the Freight Rail Industry. 
Freight rail is an important part of our transportation system because 
of the unique role that it plays as both an economical and 
environmentally-friendly freight mode. Freight rail moves goods from 
place to place efficiently, reliably, and without increasing congestion 
on our highways. It is an efficient mode of transport, averaging 457 
freight ton miles per gallon of gasoline. If 10 percent of goods 
currently shipped by truck were instead shipped by freight rail, we 
would decrease our annual greenhouse gas emissions by more than 12 
million tons. Furthermore, freight rail creates local, green jobs. 
Estimates suggest that each $1 billion invested in freight rail creates 
20,000 jobs. Freight rail plays an important role in making our 
communities safer, healthier, and more economically secure.
  I appreciate the opportunity today to honor the men and women who 
make up our freight industry. I encourage my colleagues to consider 
freight rail as we look for ways to make our transportation system more 
efficient, more environmentally-friendly, and more effective. Many of 
my colleagues have cosponsored H.R. 5478, the Green Railcar Enhancement 
Act, legislation I introduced offering a tax credit for replacing or 
rebuilding old, inefficient railcars. I appreciate their support and I 
look forward to continuing to promote freight rail as a critical part 
of a 21st century transportation system.
  Mr. SHUSTER. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I 
yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. COSTELLO. Mr. Speaker, I urge our colleagues to support the 
resolution. I have no further requests for

[[Page H6081]]

time, and I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Costello) that the House suspend the rules 
and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 1366, as amended.
  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. COSTELLO. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.
  The yeas and nays were ordered.
  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.

                          ____________________