[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 155 (2009), Part 6]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 7145]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




 CONGRATULATING THE FORT WORTH TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY ON THEIR 25TH 
                              ANNIVERSARY

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. MICHAEL C. BURGESS

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, March 11, 2009

  Mr. BURGESS. Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the Fort 
Worth Transportation Authority, who celebrated their Silver Anniversary 
in November. This outstanding group of people has made the city of Fort 
Worth a leader in Texas transportation.
  The ``T'', as it is commonly known, was officially formed on November 
8, 1983, when Fort Worth voters approved its passed a referendum on its 
creation with over 55% support. Over the years, service was extended to 
other nearby townships. In 1991, Lake Worth joined The ``T'', and in 
1992, Blue Mound and Richland Hills joined. In 2001, the Trinity 
Railway Express (TRE), a joint effort with DART of Dallas, connected 
the two cities, allowing riders to travel the 35 miles from one 
downtown to the other on a single train, and also connecting the two 
cities to DFW International Airport. The TRE is currently the tenth-
most ridden commuter rail in the country with nearly 9 million annual 
passenger trips.
  The ``T'' serves Fort Worth and the surrounding partnering 
communities with 36 bus routes operated and maintained from their 
facilities at 1600 E. Lancaster Avenue at the entrance to the 26th 
District. It also runs a carpool and vanpool service, allowing people 
who live close to one another to reduce the cost, and the exhaust 
emissions, of their daily commutes. Finally, it operates a Mobility 
Impaired Transportation Service, which provides vehicles, drivers, and 
passenger assistance to those who require it.
  With the completion of the Intermodal Transportation Center (ITC), 
The ``T'' has provided the downtown connection between bus service, the 
TRE, and Amtrak and an instrumental resource to the thriving business 
core of Fort Worth. Future plans for new Commuter rail for Southwest 
and Northeast Tarrant County will further connect participating cities 
with DFW airport. Also, development to address congestion in 
communities such as Arlington and the explosive growth found in 
communities in the Alliance area provides further support to The ``T'' 
in providing additional commuter rail routes and other transit 
solutions.
  Again, I commend The ``T'' for its leadership in improving public 
transportation in and around Fort Worth. I am proud to represent its 
management and employees in the 26th District of Texas, and I wish them 
continued success with local and regional transportation solutions over 
the next quarter century as they transform Fort Worth into a worldwide 
leader in comprehensive public transportation.

                          ____________________