[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 149 (2003), Part 12]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 15993]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




              SUPPORT INCREASED TRANSPORTATION INVESTMENT

                                 ______
                                 

                  HON. ANIBAL ACEVEDO-VILA

                             of puerto rico

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 24, 2003

  Mr. ACEVEDO-VILA. Mr. Speaker, the House of Representatives is 
fortunate to have the leadership and commitment to critical 
transportation investment in Chairman Don Young, Ranking Member Jim 
Oberstar, Subcommittee Chairman Tom Petri, and Subcommittee Ranking 
Member William O. Lipinski. As Congress moves toward consideration of 
the reauthorization of the Transportation Equity Act of the 21st 
Century, we need to provide the necessary increased investment to meet 
the growing needs of surface transportation. I am confident that with 
the strong leadership on the Transportation and Infrastructure 
Committee, the reauthorization process will provide growth in the 
surface transportation program in order to ensure safe and efficient 
surface transportation networks.
  Investment in surface transportation is critical to our economy, the 
environment, and quality of life. Transportation related investment 
produces new jobs and is directly related economic activity. Investment 
in efficient transportation networks also relieves and prevents 
congestion, a serious environmental challenge and costly burden facing 
regions throughout the U.S. and Puerto Rico.
  Transportation investment goes beyond moving people and goods and 
providing fertile ground for economic growth and prosperity. 
Transportation is about safety and the health of our citizenry, whether 
they travel on highways, urban arteries, subways, bikes or as 
pedestrians.
  Puerto Rico has tremendous mobility related challenges that we are 
addressing through an important partnership between the Commonwealth, 
Congress, and the federal government. While Puerto Rico is a small 
island only 100 miles by 30 miles in size, our population is nearing 4 
million people.
  Puerto Rico has one of the highest vehicles per mile of road ratio in 
the world. Congestion and related economic and environmental problems 
are a serious challenge facing Puerto Rico. Geographical constraints, a 
growing population, and economic growth all necessitate significant 
continued transportation investment.
  Puerto Rico is nearing the completion of Phase 1 of the New Start 
Tren Urbano project in metropolitan San Juan. I will seek authorization 
of Phase 2 of this important project, for transportation that will 
enable necessary continued growth in the program so that safe, 
efficient intermodal networks result throughout.
  Through adequate investment, we can build today to meet the 
increasing demands of the future. Investment in transportation 
infrastructure produces more than highways, new start light rail 
projects, or high-speed ferryboats. Transportation investment is also 
about safety, economic development and quality of life. I urge my 
colleagues to support the leadership of the Transportation and 
Infrastructure Committee who will fight for necessary investment in 
transportation to meet the growing needs of tomorrow by necessary 
investment today.

                          ____________________