S*630 Session 111 (1995-1996)
S*0630 Concurrent Resolution, By Land, Bryan, Courson, Elliott, Ford, Glover,
Hayes, Holland, Jackson, Lander, Matthews, Mescher, Moore, O'Dell, Passailaigue,
Patterson, Rankin, Reese, Russell, Saleeby, Setzler, J.V. Smith, H.S. Stilwell and
Washington
A Concurrent Resolution urging Congress not to reduce funding for Amtrack and
to take other steps to preserve the Amtrak System.
03/09/95 Senate Introduced SJ-10
03/15/95 Senate Adopted, sent to House SJ-29
03/15/95 House Introduced HJ-57
03/15/95 House Referred to Committee on Invitations and Memorial
Resolutions HJ-57
03/22/95 House Committee report: Favorable Invitations and
Memorial Resolutions HJ-7
03/29/95 House Adopted, returned to Senate with concurrence HJ-27
COMMITTEE REPORT
March 22, 1995
S. 630
Introduced by SENATORS Land, Elliott, Holland, Stilwell, Rankin,
Matthews, Ford, Jackson, Reese, Lander, Moore, Mescher,
Passailaigue, Glover, O'Dell, Bryan, J. Verne Smith, Courson,
Setzler, Patterson, Saleeby, Washington, Russell and Hayes
S. Printed 3/22/95--H.
Read the first time March 15, 1995.
THE COMMITTEE ON
INVITATIONS AND MEMORIAL
RESOLUTIONS
To whom was referred a Concurrent Resolution (S. 630), urging
Congress not to reduce funding for Amtrak, etc., respectfully
REPORT:
That they have duly and carefully considered the same, and
recommend that the same do pass:
RICHARD M. QUINN, JR., for Committee.
A CONCURRENT
RESOLUTION
URGING CONGRESS NOT TO REDUCE FUNDING FOR
AMTRAK AND TO TAKE OTHER STEPS TO PRESERVE THE
AMTRAK SYSTEM.
Whereas, Amtrak is energy efficient and environmentally beneficial,
consuming about half as much energy per passenger mile as airlines
and causing less air pollution; and
Whereas, Amtrak provides mobility to citizens of many smaller
communities poorly served by air and bus services, as well as to
those senior citizens, disabled people, students, and persons with
medical conditions preventing them from flying who need trains as
a travel option; and
Whereas, Amtrak is nine times safer than driving on a
passenger-mile basis and operates even in severe weather
conditions; and
Whereas, Amtrak travel rose forty-eight percent from 1982 to 1993
and Amtrak dramatically improved coverage of its operating costs
from revenues; and
Whereas, expansion of Amtrak service by using existing rail
rights-of-way would cost less and use less land than new highways
and airports and would further increase Amtrak's energy-efficiency
advantage; and
Whereas, federal investment in Amtrak has fallen in the last decade
while it has risen for airports and highways; and
Whereas, states may use highway trust fund money as an eighty
percent federal match for a variety of nonhighway programs, but
they are prohibited from using such monies for Amtrak projects;
and
Whereas, Amtrak pays a fuel tax that airlines do not pay; and
Whereas, Amtrak workers and vendors pay more in taxes than the
federal government invests in Amtrak. Now, therefore,
Be it resolved by the Senate, the House of Representatives
concurring:
That Congress is urged not to reduce federal funding of Amtrak.
Be it further resolved that Amtrak be excused from paying fuel
taxes that airlines do not pay.
Be it further resolved that states be given the flexibility to use
federal highway trust fund monies on Amtrak projects if they so
choose.
Be it further resolved that federal officials include a strong Amtrak
system in any plans for a national transportation system.
Be it further resolved that copies of this resolution be forwarded to
the President of the United States Senate, the Speaker of the United
States House of Representatives, and the members of South
Carolina's Congressional Delegation, all at Washington, D.C.
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