[Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George H. W. Bush (1991, Book I)]
[February 13, 1991]
[Pages 141-142]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]



Remarks Announcing Proposed Transportation Legislation
February 13, 1991

    Mr. Secretary; a special welcome to Senators Riegle and Moynihan,
Congressman Larry Coughlin; and let me just welcome all of you to the 
White House. It's great to have you here. And it's great for me to be 
with our able Secretary of Transportation, whose baby we are unveiling 
here.
    Thirty-five years ago, President Eisenhower envisioned an interstate 
highway system that today is a reality. And his idea fueled development 
in this country for a generation and united the States as never before--
economically, politically, and socially. So, take a look at any map in 
our country, and you'll see President Eisenhower's legacy for a strong 
America.
    Today the interstate system is virtually complete, and Americans 
enjoy unequaled mobility. But in the years since its construction began, 
there have been major demographic shifts and travel changes in our 
country. And we have a remarkable highway system, but as Sam has told 
you and certainly told me, much of it needs improvement. And we need to 
move forward to meet the transportation needs of the coming generations. 
It's time to take the first step on the long road that lies ahead. And 
the status quo will simply not get us there.
    Economic competition in the 21st century is going to be tougher than 
ever before. We can help build competitiveness and improve the links 
between workers and jobs and goods and markets. Already, transportation 
accounts for about 20 percent of total consumer spending. And we've got 
to find ways to expand our Nation's mobility for urban Americans, for 
rural Americans, and for Americans with disabilities who are on the 
move.
    So, today we're unveiling a blueprint for a national highway system. 
This map explains it. Sam has been, I understand, briefing on that here. 
We've designed new legislation--the Surface Transportation Assistance 
Act--to reform existing highway programs and increase funding for what 
works, to prepare for the next American century.
    And to do it, we must invest in our future. So, we're investing $105 
billion in our transportation infrastructure over the next 5 years. 
Highway investment will increase by 39 percent to $20 billion by 1996. 
And funds for capital investment in mass transit will increase by 25 
percent. And we've proposed a 34 percent increase in funding for highway 
safety programs over the next 5 years.
    The future of Americans' transportation rest on the new foundation 
that we're laying today. Building on the success of the interstate 
system, this bill provides for the designation of a new national highway 
system which concentrates Federal dollars on the rehabilitation and 
improvement of our most critical highways. It creates a new urban-rural 
block grant that will streamline narrow highway grant programs into a 
larger, more flexible block grant.
    The legislation will reduce the backlog of bridges needing repair 
and replacement. It promotes efficiency by cutting redtape for the 
trucking industry. The bill also focuses attention on the needs of our 
cities, where millions of our citizens depend on public transit. Mass 
transit in urban areas will be maintained and improved. And under this 
legislation, funding for it will become more stable and equitable.

[[Page 142]]

    Our approach will provide States and localities with flexibility to 
select which highways will receive targeted Federal dollars, and States 
and localities will be able to choose whether to spend Federal dollars 
on transit or highway solutions. As never before, we are encouraging 
creative new financing and management by the States.
    This bill is a good one. And we believe it will draw broad support 
from all sectors: the States, the cities, the transportation industry, 
and the Congress. And as part of this administration's national 
transportation policy, it will move us into the next American century. 
With this legislation, America is on the road to expanded productivity, 
more jobs, and a strengthened infrastructure for a stronger United 
States.
    Sam, you've been dubbed the ``road warrior.'' [Laughter] I don't 
know whether it's just by yourself or by all the rest of us, but 
nevertheless, I--[laughter]--since you've already been dubbed that, I 
want you--and I see we've got some heavyweights here in the front rows--
to ask for their support. But I really hope that you can bring back a 
bill that I can enthusiastically sign this fall or perhaps sooner. I 
don't know what your legislative schedule is.
    But in any event, I think we're off to a good start. And I'm 
grateful to you and the people at the Department of Transportation who 
have put so much of their hearts and souls into formulating this new 
approach. So, to all of you who have been a part of it, direct or 
indirect, my sincere thanks. We're going to work hard to make this 
become a reality. And thanks for coming over here today.
    And God bless you all. Thank you very, very much.

                    Note: The President spoke at 10:34 a.m. in Room 450 
                        of the Old Executive Office Building. In his 
                        remarks, he referred to Secretary of 
                        Transportation Samuel K. Skinner; Senators 
                        Donald W. Riegle, Jr., and Daniel P. Moynihan; 
                        and Representative Lawrence Coughlin.