NARP press release 11/9, Schwarz praises House vote on Amtrak Options

[KevinKorell]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: November 8, 2005

SCHWARZ PRAISES HOUSE VOTE ON AMTRAK

WASHINGTON - U.S. Rep. Joe Schwarz (R-Battle Creek) today praised a
unanimous vote by the House of Representatives that will result in more
funding for Amtrak, the passenger railroad with stops in Ann Arbor,
Jackson, Albion and Battle Creek.

This move is critical to the jobs of countless residents of the 7th
Congressional District, and to the thousands of passengers boarding
Amtrak every year in southern Michigan.

The vote occurred during the process of appointing House members to
negotiate with the Senate on the transportation appropriations bill. The
House adopted a motion to instruct its "conferees," or negotiators, to
support the Senate's approved level of Amtrak funding, $1.45 billion,
rather than the House's, $1.2 billion.

That move increases the likelihood that Amtrak will see a substantial
increase in its operating budget for Fiscal Year 2006.

"We need more investment in passenger rail. That's why I was pleased to support this vote," said Dr. Schwarz, a member of the Congressional
Passenger Rail Caucus.

"Building high-speed rail and ensuring the long-term viability of
passenger service in Michigan will require these kind of investments,
and I am proud to support a higher level of funding.

"Passenger rail is the most cost-effective and energy efficient means of
travel. Amtrak serves thousands of passengers in my district every year
and employs a number of my constituents. A vote against Amtrak would be a vote against the people of the 7th Congressional District.

"I commend Chairman Joe Knollenberg for his support of this motion and I look forward to working with my colleagues on improving passenger rail in the 21st century."

Earlier in the year, Dr. Schwarz worked tirelessly to ensure that Amtrak
would be appropriated the necessary funding to remain in business.
Originally budgeted at $550 million, Dr. Schwarz lobbied his colleagues
and supported an amendment to increase the House-approved funding level to $1.2 billion, level with the previous year's funding and the minimum required to keep the railroad in operation.

U.S. Rep. JOE SCHWARZ represents the 7th Congressional District of
Michigan, which includes parts of Calhoun and Washtenaw counties and all of Branch, Eaton, Jackson, Hillsdale and Lenawee counties. A practicing physician for over 30 years, he previously served in the U.S. Navy, the Central Intelligence Agency, and in local and state government. He currently sits on the House Agriculture, Armed Services and Science committees.

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