[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 113 (Thursday, August 1, 2013)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1182]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  TRANSPORTATION, HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT, AND RELATED AGENCIES 
                        APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2014

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                          HON. DANIEL LIPINSKI

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, July 30, 2013

       The House in Committee of the Whole House on the state of 
     the Union had under consideration the bill (H.R. 2610) making 
     appropriations for the Departments of Transportation, and 
     Housing and Urban Development, and related agencies for the 
     fiscal year ending September 30, 2014, and for other 
     purposes:
  Mr. LIPINSKI. Mr. Chair, I rise today in support of Amtrak passenger 
rail service, which carried 31.2 million riders in 2012 and provides a 
vital transportation alternative for commuters and travelers in our 
Nation's busiest corridors.
   More people are taking Amtrak today than ever before, a sign that 
passenger rail is making a comeback. Ridership has grown substantially 
during the last decade, with another 3.5 percent gain last year. This 
year, Amtrak had the highest monthly ridership of its 43-year history 
with 2.9 million riders in March. Amtrak now covers 88 percent of its 
operating expenses with ticket sales and other revenue, with government 
funding needed mostly for capital projects.
   I represent the southwest side of Chicago and neighboring suburbs 
where passenger and commuter rail boost our economy. Chicago's Union 
Station is Amtrak's fourth-busiest station. In Illinois, 56 Amtrak 
trains run each day carrying 5 million passengers. In addition, the 
Illinois Department of Transportation has partnered with Amtrak on 
three corridors between Chicago and downstate Illinois, and has teamed 
with Wisconsin to support service between Chicago and Milwaukee. Total 
ridership on these routes has increased 85 percent since the State 
doubled its investment in Amtrak service in 2006.
   In the bustling Northeast Corridor from Washington, DC up to Boston, 
Amtrak carried a record 11.4 million passengers in fiscal year 2012. 
That helps keep vehicles off our congested highways and relieves some 
of the pressure at our busy airports.
   Investment in passenger rail also benefits our economy. In 2012, 
Amtrak spent more than $1.3 billion on domestically-manufactured goods 
and services in 48 states and the District of Columbia. The vast 
majority of Amtrak's spending is right here in the U.S.; less than one 
percent of Amtrak's procurement money is spent to purchase products 
from foreign countries. In Illinois, Amtrak employs nearly 1,500 
residents.
   I am encouraged to see Amtrak ridership growing, and I think 
maintaining our only national intercity passenger rail network will be 
critical as fuel prices rise and Americans demand more transportation 
options. I look forward to finding smart ways to improve passenger rail 
service for my constituents and others.
   I ask my colleagues to join me in supporting Amtrak and opposing the 
proposed deep cuts to passenger rail funding in the current 
transportation appropriations bill that was pulled from the floor 
Wednesday.

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