[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 70 (Thursday, April 28, 2022)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E428-E429]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      IN RECOGNITION OF THE STUDENT COUNCIL OF RAGLAND HIGH SCHOOL

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. MIKE ROGERS

                               of alabama

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, April 28, 2022

  Mr. ROGERS of Alabama. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 
Student Council of Ragland High School.
  In October, the Council, led by President Jaxon Phillips, called for 
U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) to fund the Ragland Safety, 
Transportation, Education, and Mobility Project, known as ``STEM.''
  Trains often block Ragland's only grade crossing, cutting the town in 
half for hours. This blocks first responders and school buses and 
causes disruptions for student attendance and learning. The STEM 
Project would eliminate these disruptions.
  At the Student Council's urging, I have engaged with U.S. DOT to 
support this project. I had hoped funding for this project would be 
announced by Secretary Buttigieg before the school year ended. While 
the final decision is still pending, I want these young leaders to know 
their voices have been heard in Washington. I will continue to support 
the STEM Project.
  Madam Speaker, I call upon Secretary Buttigieg to fund this worthy 
project. I include in the Record the text of the Council's resolution 
of October 25, 2021.

                  Student Council, Ragland High School


                               Resolution

                            October 25, 2021

       Whereas, The Town of Ragland has been home to the National 
     Cement Company, Inc. since July of 1910; and

[[Page E429]]

       Whereas, The National Cement Company requires a large 
     percentage of products to be transported via the railroad, 
     owned and operated by OrnniTRAX and ATN, which intersects 
     Alabama State Highway 144; and
       Whereas, The railroad is prone to cause major delays of 
     traffic that might include means of transportation for 
     school, such as school buses, student drivers, and teachers. 
     as well as emergency vehicles. hindering the response of 
     local first responders in the event of an emergency; and
       Whereas, In December of 2019, the National Cement Company 
     made an investment of $250,000,000 in a kiln expansion 
     project that is set to be completed by December 2021, drawing 
     in 132 new jobs, as well as pouring a foundation for the 
     National Cement Plant to remain in operation for another 50 
     years: and
       Whereas, Such an expansion is projected to increase cement 
     production abundantly resulting in the necessity for 
     transportation of products via the railroad and Alabama State 
     Highway 144; additionally furthering the traffic delays along 
     with impeding first responder's ability to respond; Be it 
     Therefore
       Resolved, That the Ragland High School Student Council, in 
     meeting assembled, calls on the Federal Railroad 
     Administration Acting Administrator Amit Bose, U.S. Secretary 
     of Transportation, Pete Buttigieg, U.S. Congressman, Mike 
     Rogers, U.S. Senator Richard Shelby, and U.S. Senator Tommy 
     Tuberville, to promote the ``Ragland Safety, Transportation, 
     Education, and Mobility Project''; and Be it Further
       Resolved, That the Ragland High School tudent Council, in 
     meeting assembled, formally endorses and acknowledges the 
     urgency for supporting the ``Ragland Safety, Transportation, 
     Education, and Mobility Project''.

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