[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 149 (2003), Part 20]
[House]
[Pages 27402-27403]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                         A VOTE FOR LIGHT RAIL

  (Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas asked and was given permission to address 
the House for 1 minute and to revise and extend her remarks.)
  Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, it is not often that we come 
to the floor to discuss a myriad of local official issues, but this one 
is worth announcing. The voters of Harris County and Houston and the 
metroplex have spoken in Houston, Texas. We have voted overwhelmingly 
to improve the quality of life, to enhance regional mobility and to say 
to the world that we do believe that the environment is premised on 
more and more of us being concerned about the idea of not polluting our 
air quality. We have voted for light rail.
  For 30 years, it may sound humorous to some, but we have argued and 
debated this question in Houston, Texas,

[[Page 27403]]

and through large opposition, moneyed opponents, misleading statements 
the people saw the truth and have voted to provide for light rail for 
their students, for their businesses, for their communities, for their 
tourism, and for the enhancement of economic development.
  With that vote, we now come to this House to ask for our fair share, 
our fair share of rail and transportation dollars, $2.4 billion. 
Congratulations to the metro for voting for light rail and the people 
of Harris County.

                          ____________________