[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 161 (Tuesday, October 25, 2011)]
[House]
[Page H7013]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   RETAINING AND STRENGTHENING THE TRANSPORTATION ENHANCEMENT PROGRAM

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from 
Oregon (Mr. Blumenauer) for 5 minutes.
  Mr. BLUMENAUER. Today's Washington Post has an interesting article 
about the possibility that Congress will jettison the Transportation 
Enhancement funding. Best known for providing resources for bike and 
pedestrian activities, it also opens the door to a wide range of 
important benefits. Sadly, the language in the article betrays a lack 
of understanding on the part of those who would eliminate these 
important programs.
  For instance, they single out somehow that this was forcing the 
creation of wildlife corridors--turtle tunnels, passages that don't 
just comply with our environmental responsibilities. These aren't 
something to trivialize. More Americans die in collisions with moose, 
with deer--or, for that matter, from swerving to avoid a turtle in the 
roadway--than die on our airplanes and buses in a given year. These are 
not trivial issues. These are areas that give choices to be able to 
deal with meaningful transportation problems.
  Right now, as I speak, there are millions of Americans stuck in 
traffic--burning fuel, wasting time, raising their blood pressure. The 
investment in complete transportation systems, which includes bike and 
pedestrian activities, means that there are hundreds of thousands of 
cars that aren't in front of these people in the roadway because 
they're able to walk or bike to work, and they're not fighting these 
commuters for a parking space.
  These programs are about safety. In the communities that enhance bike 
and pedestrian activity, everyone is safer. Look at the numbers in New 
York City or in my hometown of Portland, Oregon. It isn't just the 
pedestrian and the cyclist who are safer, but it's also the individual 
motorist. Traffic accident rates for everybody have declined.
  It gives people transportation choices. More people can let their 
children walk or bike to school safely on their own because of the Safe 
Routes to School program rather than producing another bulge in the 
early morning commute. Choice also means healthier communities and the 
people who live in them. It's easier to get gentle exercise, cleaner 
air, less energy wasted.
  The costs associated with pollution and obesity are astronomical. 
This gives values to families. Communities that have balanced 
transportation programs actually spend less on transportation. The 
figures for my hometown of Portland, Oregon, show that the average 
family saves $2,500 a year not being stuck in traffic, in a commuting 
mess--money that they can spend on health care or books, restaurants or 
housing.
  It's not just pedestrians and cyclists who would be shortchanged if 
we jettison these programs. The same adjustments that make it safer to 
walk or bike also have a profound impact on people who rely on walkers, 
baby strollers, motorized scooters. These enhancements have enhanced 
the community for the elderly, the disabled, and the young.
  We also, frankly, have a current debate that shows exactly why we 
need a national policy. It's easy for people to get confused or misled. 
Nobody is forced to build a specific project. It forces State 
transportation officials to work harder and think differently, but it 
gives people more choices, more value, better health, stronger 
communities. It means that all our communities are more livable and 
that our families are safer, healthier, and more economically secure.
  The 20-year legacy of the Transportation Enhancement program is 
strong. That's why they are the most requested transportation projects 
that Congress has entertained for the last 20 years. I do hope that we 
debate it fully and fairly. In the end, if we do, I am confident we 
will retain these important programs, and if anything, we will 
strengthen them.

                          ____________________