U.S. Rep. Ed Pastor, D-Ariz., often is referred to as the father of light rail in Phoenix. For years, he pushed for a light rail component of public transit in the Valley — a goal that was realized in December 2008, when the 20-mile Metro starter line began operation.

For the past few years, he’s pushed for an equally daunting goal: development of high-speed rail service between Phoenix and Tucson.