[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 147 (2001), Part 5]
[Senate]
[Page 6726]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



       THE THIRTIETH ANNIVERSARY OF CONGRESS'S CREATION OF AMTRAK

  Mr. CLELAND. Mr. President, Yesterday marked the thirtieth 
anniversary of Congress's creation of Amtrak. Congress acted then 
because we realized that along with cars and planes, passenger rail was 
a vital part of America's transportation future. Today the need for 
passenger rail is greater than ever. All across this great land, 
travelers are facing gridlock not only on our highways but we are 
quickly approaching it in our skies too.
  I believe many Americans are growing tired of spending so many hours 
stuck in traffic, or hanging around airport terminals. They want an 
alternative, now.
  Fortunately, there is an alternative to growing gridlock and 
``winglock.'' It is called high-speed passenger rail, and it is a way 
of traveling that is pleasant and easy, and allows travelers to make 
the most of their valuable time.
  So far, high-speed rail exists only in the Northeast. But Amtrak's 
vision is to build a national passenger railroad system consisting of 
many regional high-speed corridors linked by long-distance service. 
This plan will bring another option to the American business traveler, 
commuter and tourist no matter where they live.
  That is why I strongly support the High Speed Rail Investment Act of 
2001. It will provide Amtrak with what our highways and airports 
already have: a source of long-term capital with which to build the 
high-speed rail corridors of the future.
  With high-speed rail, we can give travelers the choices they deserve, 
and improve our over burdened transportation system. Passage of the 
High Speed Rail Act of 2001 isn't just in Amtrak's interest; it is in 
America's interest.

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