Corrine Brown

Ms. CORRINE BROWN of Florida

Ms. CORRINE BROWN of Florida. Madam Speaker and Members of the House, first of all I want to thank Chairman Oberstar for his leadership on this issue of transportation. He is truly the guru of transportation, and the country appreciates his leadership. And thanks to Ranking Members Mica and Shuster. I guess the pledge of serving in Congress is serving on transportation, because transportation is truly bipartisan. This is truly a monumental day for America, and I am so pleased to be a part of it. If you are worrying about energy prices and the economy, this bill is a one-two punch. Passenger and freight rail are energy efficient, providing good jobs that can't be shipped overseas and transporting thousands of people and tons of cargo each day in a safe and efficient manner, and all of this without drilling off the coast. Let me repeat. If you are worried about $4 and $5 gas prices, passenger and freight rail are energy efficient, provide good jobs that can't be shipped overseas and transport thousands of people and tons of cargo each day in a safe and efficient manner. Rising gas prices alone, with increased highway and airport congestion, have made intercity passenger rail more popular and necessary than ever. In fiscal year 2007, Amtrak carried more than 25.8 million passengers, the fifth straight fiscal year of record ridership. Like its ridership gains, Amtrak's fiscal performance has improved as well, posting approximately $1.5 billion in ticket sales. More than just a convenient way to travel, Amtrak is a greener mode of transportation. One full passenger train can take between 250 to 350 cars off the road. Rail travel is more energy efficient and uses less fuel than cars or airplanes. According to the U.S. Department of Energy data, Amtrak is 17 percent more efficient than domestic air travel and 21 percent more efficient than auto travel. Unfortunately, for many years Amtrak has been given just enough money each year to limp along, never getting the necessary funds to make serious improvements in the system. The high voltage electric system is over 70 years old, 65 percent of the bridges were built in the 1920s, and several tunnels that the trains go through every year were built in the 1800s. In 2005, Amtrak conducted a comprehensive review of its capital needs. The review determined that Amtrak should invest $4.2 billion to bring their infrastructure to a state of good repair. Today, with the backlog of major bridges and tunnel work, the necessary investment capital has approached an estimated $6 billion. As other countries continue to invest tens of billions of dollars each year in improving their passenger rail systems, we are falling further and further behind by deferring these much-needed improvements to our system. We must find a way to speed up Amtrak's backlog of repair work and bring its assets to a state of good repair. Then Amtrak can concentrate on increasing capacity, increasing speed, developing new facilities and planning for the future. These major infrastructure improvements are also necessary to improve the safety and security of the system and its passengers and workers. Amtrak has and will continue to play a critical role in evacuating and transporting citizens during national emergencies. Amtrak was the only mode of transportation out of New York following 9/11, and transported citizens and delivered vital supplies following Hurricane Katrina. Unfortunately, it is also a prime target for those who wish to harm us, and we must provide resources to make the system less vulnerable. This legislation also includes vital railroad safety legislation that will improve the effectiveness of freight rail systems, and, most important, will help save the lives of rail employees and the people living in the communities they serve. Freight railroads are also energy efficient and have made major gains in fuel efficiency through training and improved locomotive technology. A single intermodal train can take up to 280 trucks off of our highways. Today, one gallon of diesel fuel can move a ton of freight an average of 414 miles, a 76 percent improvement since 1980. Since the beginning of the 110th Congress, the Railroad Subcommittee has held five hearings on rail safety, examined fatigue, human factors and rail accidents, and current Federal safety programs. In addition to the subcommittee's hearing, we met with all of our stakeholders, including labor, the railroads, government agencies and other interested parties to craft this legislation. The bill seeks to help prevent accidents caused by human factors, which account for 40 percent of all rail accidents, by strengthening the hours-of-service laws, decreasing limbo time, increasing worker training and qualifications, and implementing advanced safety technology. It requires the Secretary of Transportation to develop a long-term strategy for improving railroad safety at railroad crossings by improving visibility and making it easier to report problems.

Ms. CORRINE BROWN of Florida

Ms. CORRINE BROWN of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 408) recognizing North Platte, Nebraska, as ``Rail Town USA''.

Ms. CORRINE BROWN of Florida. Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. CORRINE BROWN of Florida. Madam Speaker, I don't want the people at home to get confused. Today we are honoring the people of North Platte, USA, for their major contribution as far as rail is concerned. But I think that there is no stronger bill more that we can do in this Congress than to pass the Amtrak bill. I want to be clear. I mention that Congress is working on legislation that would provide solutions to the energy crisis. And the solution, in my opinion, is not just drilling. That is one of the comprehensive proposals. But the major solution to our problem in this country as far as energy is concerned is not just to provide drilling off the Florida coast. It is also to provide rail service. We, in this country, as I say over and over and over again, are the caboose. The caboose. And we don't use cabooses in trains anymore. I went from downtown Paris to downtown Brussels, over 200 miles, 1 hour and 15 minutes, downtown Barcelona to downtown Madrid, 300 miles, in 2\1/2\ hours. That is the future of our country. We have to move people, goods and services, if we are going to be competitive with the rest of the world. Our competition is moving. We need to move America and to understand the solution to the problem is not by drilling and drilling alone. I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. CORRINE BROWN of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks and include additional materials on House Concurrent Resolution 408.

Ms. CORRINE BROWN of Florida. In closing, once again let's thank the people of North Platte for what they have done during World War II. Also, as we move forward in discussing energy, we need comprehensive energy. One thing that was missing was coal. We have enough coal in this country for 600 years. I know that burning coal sometimes pollutes the air, but any country that can go to the moon, we can come up with a way to burn coal and not be dependent. So we need a comprehensive approach to energy. The answer is not just drilling. We need comprehensive approaches to dealing with our moving people, goods and services so we can be competitive with our competition.

Ms. CORRINE BROWN of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself as much time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, we are seeing a rebirth of the passenger and freight rail industry in this country, and it couldn't come soon enough. This week, Congress is working on legislation that will help provide solutions to the energy crisis this Nation is facing. One sure way to do this is to increase the use of passenger and freight rail. The only current mode of transportation that is greener than rail is your sneakers. Freight rail has made major gains in fuel efficiency through training and improved locomotive technology. A single intermodal train can take up to 280 trucks off of the highways. Today, one gallon of diesel fuel can move a ton of freight an average of 414 miles, a 76 percent improvement since 1980. Passenger rail ability to reduce congestion is well known, with ridership numbers increasing steadily each year. One full passenger train can take up to 250-350 cars off of the road. Passenger rail also consumes less energy than both automobiles and commercial airlines. Every industrialized country in the world is already using high-speed rail to effectively move citizens in an environmentally friendly way. Sadly, the United States used to be the leader in rail; now we're the caboose, and they don't even use cabooses anymore. Fortunately, we will be changing that with the upcoming passage of the Amtrak Reauthorization bill. Today, we celebrate the contributions of our Nation's rail once again by recognizing North Platte, Nebraska, as ``Rail Town, USA.'' North Platte has a long and storied history as a railroad town. During World War II, North Platte hosted up to 20 trains full of soldiers each day, and today is home to the Bailey Yard, which is considered the largest rail classification yard in the world, handling 10,000 railroad cars each day. From 1941-1946, more than six million service men and women were greeted by North Platte volunteers who provided food, needed supplies and hospitality to the World War II veterans and provided care baskets to wounded soldiers returning home. I want to commend Congressman Smith for this legislation and thank the town of North Platte, Nebraska, for the contributions to our brave soldiers during World War II. I urge Members to support this resolution. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. CORRINE BROWN of Florida. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. CORRINE BROWN of Florida. Once again I want to add that for better than 4 years, day in and day out, over 50,000 people contributed food, money and efforts to one of the proudest moments in our history during World War II. Day in and day out, from early in the morning until the last train would leave at night, between 2,000 and 5,000 soldiers and sailors would be fed nearly 200 loaves of bread, 100 pounds of meat, 50 pounds of coffee and over 100 quarts of milk. More than 300 organizations made sandwiches, boiled eggs, fried chicken and baked cakes and pies. The war wounded were provided with razors, canes, toothbrushes and care baskets to make their return home a welcome one. One of the most famous residents of North Platte was Colonel William F. Cody, best known as Buffalo Bill. Buffalo Bill made North Platte his home for more than 30 years. Today North Platte is the home of Bailey Yard and operated by Union Pacific Railroad. It is considered the largest rail classification yard in the world. Every 24 hours, Bailey Yard handles over 10,000 railroad cars. Bailey Yard handles daily an average of 135 trains bound for cities as far distant as the east, west and gulf coasts of America, as well as the Canadian and Mexican borders. I really want to be one of the ones to offer congratulations and our thanks as a grateful people to North Platte. I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. CORRINE BROWN of Florida. Madam Speaker, how much time remains on both sides, please?

Ms. CORRINE BROWN of Florida

Ms. CORRINE BROWN of Florida. Mr. Speaker, earlier this week it was difficult to tell President Bush and Senator McCain apart. On the day when the stock markets fell 500 points, President Bush described it as nothing more than an ``adjustment,'' while Senator McCain declared the ``fundamentals of our economy are strong.'' Are President Bush and Senator McCain serious, or are they out of touch? What about the millions of Americans who have lost their jobs and are having trouble finding a new one simply because the Bush-McCain economy has shed 600,000 more jobs this year than they have created? What about middle class families who are worse off today than they were 8 years ago? They have seen their real wages fall over 8 years by $300. Mr. Speaker, when it comes to economic issues, there is no difference between President Bush, Senator McCain, and former President Herbert Hoover.

Ms. CORRINE BROWN of Florida

Ms. CORRINE BROWN of Florida. Mr. Speaker, first, let me thank the chairman for his leadership on this issue and for his tireless work on the committee and on behalf of the Nation's veterans. I rise in support of H.R. 6832, the Veterans' Programs Extension and Construction Authorization Act of 2008. I am pleased at the construction that has occurred in the State of Florida. My State has the largest elderly veterans population in the country. Everyone enjoys the warm weather, and veterans are no different. It is high time that we build the facilities that will take care of the heroes and sheroes. In addition, this bill increases the authorization for the construction of a new VA medical center in Orlando. We have waited over 25 years for this facility, and we have construction delays. We cannot allow construction delays because of the lack of money due to increased energy costs or inflation. It would be criminal to do this. In addition, this bill increases the authorization by $51 million to fund patient privacy at the Gainesville Medical Center. We need to make sure our veterans are treated with respect. Earlier this year, this Congress passed the Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriation under the leadership of Chairman Chet Edwards. I appreciate him including funds for these projects in the bill, along with the continuing development of the medical centers in Florida. I urge the passing of the bill and continued support for our Nation's veterans. May God continue to bless America.

Ms. CORRINE BROWN of Florida

Ms. CORRINE BROWN of Florida. Madam Speaker, I would like to pay tribute to Dr. Yuhua Wang, who has been recognized as a great artist and sculptor. Dr. Wang was born in China, and permanently resides in the United States. Since 2000, she has worked as a visiting professor of oriental arts in the College of Liberal Arts at Auburn University, where she has received several commendation certificates for excellent work performance. In August 2008, Dr. Wang's book entitled World's Highest-Level Color Paintings and Ink-Wash Paintings will be published and distributed worldwide by International Arts Publishing. Dr. Wang has meticulously and delicately applied fine-brushwork and oil colors on hand-sculpted coral and cobblestones which have become treasures of the world. In the history of Chinese art, her lotus flower paintings are unsurpassed and are extremely valuable. In addition to being proficient in Chinese paintings, she is a highly talented sculptor whose themes are nature's mountains, rocks and plants. Dr. Wang's skills in the creation of colors, paintings and sculptures have reached the acme of perfection in their exquisiteness, elegance and beauty. Dr. Wang, who takes great pleasure in helping others, is a selfless person whose moral character is noble, which is evidenced by the numerous awards and honors she has received. She has made great contributions to the development of cultural exchange between the East and West. Through her practice of Buddhism; Professor Wang benefits humanity and all living beings. Madam Speaker, I invite my colleagues to join me in paying tribute to Dr. Yuhua Wang, an outstanding artist and scholar, who has chosen to make her home here in the United States because she has heartfelt love for its people.

Ms. CORRINE BROWN of Florida

Ms. CORRINE BROWN of Florida. Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay honor and tribute to the memory of Samuel Snow, of Leesburg, Florida. In 1944, Samuel Snow was among a group of black American soldiers involved in the largest and longest U.S. Army court martial of World War II. Mr. Snow, then a 19-year-old Army private, and 42 other black troops were tried at Fort Lawton in Seattle for the death of an Italian Army prisoner of war. All 43 were accused of rioting, while three of the GIs were charged with first degree murder. Mr. Snow was one of two men still alive to tell the story. Mr. Snow enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1944, in New Orleans. His enlistment helped fill a need for black soldiers to fill segregated units to be shipped to Japan. As Snow packed to get ready to be shipped out, a fight broke out between a large number of black soldiers and Italian POWs. Only two attorneys were appointed. They had just two weeks to prepare a defense and no access to key evidence. After the Army's longest court martial of World War II, 28 soldiers were convicted--and it was all wrong. 13 acquitted and charges against two others were dropped. He spent a year in confinement. This was the largest court martial during the war, and the only time blacks were tried for alleged lynching. Mr. Snow was issued an ultimatum: Go to prison or receive a dishonorable discharge. Last October, the Army overturned those convictions after Seattle author Jack Hamann's investigation proved the soldiers were unjustly tried in his book ``On American Soil.'' Their convictions were all set aside. On Saturday, July 26, the Army officially apologized in a ceremony at Fort Lawton in Seattle in front of family and friends of 28 of the soldiers. Only 2 of them are still alive and Sam Snow was determined to attend the ceremony. Mr. Snow travelled to Seattle from Florida and was admitted to a Seattle hospital Friday night. He smiled when his son Ray read the honorable discharge petition to him following the Saturday ceremony. At 12:45 a.m. Sunday, Samuel Snow died of congestive heart failure. His son, Ray Snow, who traveled with him to Seattle, said ``Getting that honorable discharge was more important than his health.'' Sam Snow, on a previous visit to Fort Lawton, said that ``we hope this never happens again and I am proud to be an American.'' Samuel Snow was a speaker at my Veterans Braintrust at the Congressional Black Caucus Annual Legislative Conference this past September. His is very moving story and if there is one thing to learn, it is that we must always be vigilant against injustice. He is survived by his loving wife, Margaret Snow; son, Ray; grandchildren, Maurice Snow, Denise S. Norwood, Marvin J. and Ray L. Snow; and three great-grandchildren.

Ms. CORRINE BROWN of Florida

Ms. CORRINE BROWN of Florida. Madam Speaker, I would like to pay tribute to Dr. Yuhua Wang, who has been recognized as a great artist and sculptor. Dr. Wang was born in Sichuan, China, and permanently resides in the United States. Since 2000, she has worked as a visiting professor of oriental arts in the College of Liberal Arts at Auburn University, where she has received several commendation certificates for excellent work performance. In August 2008, Dr. Wang's book entitled World's Highest-Level Color Paintings and Ink-Wash Paintings will be published and distributed worldwide by International Arts Publishing. Dr. Wang has meticulously and delicately applied fine-brushwork and oil colors on hand-sculpted coral and cobblestones which have become treasures of the world. In the history of Chinese art, her lotus flower paintings are unsurpassed and are extremely valuable. In addition to being proficient in Chinese paintings, she is a highly talented sculptor whose themes are nature's mountains, rocks and plants. Dr. Wang's skills in the creation of colors, paintings and sculptures have reached the acme of perfection in their exquisiteness, elegance and beauty. Dr. Wang, who takes great pleasure in helping others, is a selfless person whose moral character is noble, which is evidenced by the numerous awards and honors she has received. She has made great contributions to the development of cultural exchange between the East and West. Through her practice of Buddhism, Professor Wang benefits humanity and all living beings. Madam Speaker, I invite my colleagues to join me in paying tribute to Dr. Yuhua Wang, an outstanding artist and scholar, who has chosen to make her home here in the United States because she has heartfelt love for its people.

Ms. CORRINE BROWN of Florida

Ms. CORRINE BROWN of Florida. I want to thank Chairman Oberstar for his leadership on this bill and on all transportation issues. Mr. Oberstar is really a transportation guru. And to listen to Mr. Mica here today arguing for high speed rail--no, not arguing--debating, supporting, oh, we've come a long way in this country as far as the reauthorization of Amtrak. And this is an exciting day for the American people. With gas prices rapidly rising to $5 a gallon, we could not be moving in conference on a more important bill than Amtrak reauthorization. I'm excited for the American people and the prospect of having more transportation options than getting in your cars and driving. This weekend, I sent my mom to our family reunion, to Lakeland, Florida on Amtrak. Her trip was a perfect example of why we need to expand services, add, boost, and provide additional passenger and vehicle cars. The train she was riding on was so busy that people were actually sleeping on the floors of the train. Amtrak's improvements on its physical state and recent focus on customer service, along with increasing highway and airport congestion and rising gas prices, have made interest in passenger rail more popular and necessary than ever. More than just a convenient way to travel, Amtrak is also energy efficient. Rail travel is more energy efficient and uses less fuel than cars or airplanes. According to the U.S. Department of Energy data, Amtrak is 17 percent more efficient than domestic airline travel and 21 percent more efficient than automobile travel. Passenger rail also reduces global warming. The average passenger rail train produces 60 percent lower carbon emissions than cars and 50 percent less than airplanes. In the fiscal year 2007, Amtrak carried more than 25.8 million passengers, the fifth straight year of record ridership. Like its ridership gains, Amtrak's fiscal performance has improved as well, posting $1.5 billion in ticket revenue. A gain of 10 percent. On May 10, Amtrak celebrated National Train Day by holding events throughout the country showcasing interests in the passenger rail and its importance to the Nation. I celebrated National Train Day by holding events throughout my district, including press conferences and events in Jacksonville, Winter Park, and at the Sanford Auto Train station. Every event had a great turnout showing strong support for Amtrak, and I got to hear firsthand accounts of people who use Amtrak every day to go to work, visit friends and families all over the country. Congress also showed strong support for Amtrak and passenger rail by passing legislation supporting Amtrak Train Day by a vote of 415-0. Fifty years ago, President Eisenhower created the National Highway System which changed the way we travel in this country. Today, we need to do the same thing with passenger rail and make the level of investment necessary for it to become even more successful in the future. I was in New Orleans this weekend with Speaker Nancy Pelosi, and at a press conference the Speaker stated the importance of investing in rail infrastructure. She stated that it is not only important to offer alternatives to highway travel, but is critical for transporting citizens out of harm's way during national disasters. The United States used to be the best passenger rail service in the world. Now we are the caboose, and they don't even use cabooses any more. The American people deserve better. I believe this Amtrak Reauthorization will go a long way to restore the U.S. to its rightful place as a world leader in passenger rail. Going to conference with the Senate is the next major step in bringing our Nation's intercity passenger rail into the 21st century. I encourage all of my colleagues to support this suspension bill which will allow the House and Senate to go to conference on Amtrak.

Ms. CORRINE BROWN of Florida

Ms. CORRINE BROWN of Florida. Will the gentleman yield?

Ms. CORRINE BROWN of Florida. Mr. Buyer, I think it is appropriate to take proper time to honor the veterans, and I am very happy that we are doing this today. The appropriation bills, as you know, will be coming up. These are the ``must'' bills that we have to pass. And so often, as you well know, we take them and we wrap them in a continuing resolution. Hopefully, we will pass several of those bills, but today it is time for us to honor the veterans. We have passed, working together, the largest VA budget in the history of the United States.

Ms. CORRINE BROWN of Florida. Will the gentleman yield?

Ms. CORRINE BROWN of Florida. Last week, just last week we passed the Amtrak bill, which is an opportunity that we can take people out of their cars and move them forward. I went from downtown Brussels to downtown Paris, 200 miles, 1 hour and 15 minutes. That is the future of this country. We are moving forward. And I know you voted for my Amtrak bill. That is a great step forward.

Ms. CORRINE BROWN of Florida. Sir, I understand what you're saying, but I don't know that it was any different when the Republicans were in charge. The appropriations bills, they are going through the process, they are going through the different hearings and the discussion. But today we have an opportunity to honor the veterans.

Ms. CORRINE BROWN of Florida. Will you yield?

Ms. CORRINE BROWN of Florida. Mr. Chairman, I want to thank you for your leadership on the committee and your leadership for these veterans in this country. And to the ranking member, I know that he did not mean that the leadership of this House, that have devoted a block of time to talk about the veterans and their service to this country, is filling the time. I want to thank the leadership, I want to thank the chairman, and I want to thank the Republicans on the committee because we have some issues that we want to talk about honoring veterans that have served this country. So I know he did not mean that talking about veterans, other than Memorial Day or Veterans Day, is filling our time. He didn't mean that, I know that. So I want to rise in support of veterans-related bills being considered today, and I support all eight of them. I am pleased to be a cosponsor of House Resolution 1231, supporting Vietnam Veterans Day. In my State of Florida, we have close to 600,000 thousand veterans in Florida, and I am pleased to be given the chance to serve their interests as a member for 16 years on the Veterans' Affairs Committee. The Vietnam War was a very divisive time in our Nation's history, and I hope that all Americans, through this resolution, will be able to continue to help heal this Nation, and that the Vietnam vets, who so bravely served our country, will finally get the respect they have earned. Let me just say: Vietnam veterans bravely served this country finally get the respect they helped earn. I am also pleased recently to visit Puerto Rico recently and tour the VA Medical Center in San Juan. I was very impressed with the people who work at that facility and with the people in the territory as a whole. The employees were very professional, and it is a credit to both Puerto Rico and to the VA. I was also in Ponce, admiring the port there, in my other role as a member on the Transportation Committee, and was very impressed by the city and very pleased that the veterans there have access to the VA clinic. I support H.R. 4289, to name the VA clinic in Ponce after Captain Rubio, who earned the Medal of Honor for his service protecting his comrades above and beyond the call of duty. I also rise in support of H.R. 4918, to rename the Miami Veterans Medical Center after one of Florida's bravest servicemen, Private Bruce Wayne Carter, of the United States Marine Corps. His mother still lives in Jacksonville. Private First Class Carter was ordered to Vietnam in April, 1969, and served as a radio operator. When he was 19, and in an act of incredible altruism, he threw himself on an enemy grenade, absorbing the full extent of the blast to protect his fellow marines. He gave his life in service to our country and to his fellow marines and was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor. I am pleased to join the entire Florida delegation in support of this legislation in honor of Bruce Carter. Again, I want to thank the chairman, and I urge all of my colleagues to support all eight bills honoring veterans on the floor of the House of Representatives today. And once again I want to thank the leadership for bringing these veterans bills up today.

Ms. CORRINE BROWN of Florida

Ms. CORRINE BROWN of Florida. That is right. And we want to do it in 2 hours. But the key is we were able to do that, and I was able to take that train ride and read and contemplate what we've got to do. We've passed the Amtrak bill. We've got to move this country forward, and I want to thank you for your leadership on this issue. We've had our heads in the sand long enough on the issues of global warming, and I'm glad that the House Leadership is making this issue a top priority. You only need to look at the constantly rising gas prices to understand why we need to focus on energy independence. My home State of Florida is particularly vulnerable to weather pattern changes brought about by climate change. Florida on average sits just 98 feet above sea level and each year battles hurricanes with increased frequency and intensity. Fortunately, the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee is taking the bull by the horns and looking at ways that we can decrease the negative effect our transportation system has on the world's ecosystem. One simple way to do this is increasing the use of passenger and freight rail. Freight railroads have made major gains in fuel efficiency through training and improved locomotive technology. A single intermodal train can take up to 280 trucks off our highways. Today, one gallon of diesel fuel can move a ton of freight an average of 414 miles, a 76 percent improvement since 1980. And General Electric will soon unveil the world's first hybrid locomotive. Passenger rails' ability to reduce congestion is well known, with ridership numbers increasing steadily each year. One full passenger train can take 250-350 cars off the roads. Passenger rail also consumes less energy than automobiles and commercial airlines. But we need to get people to wake up and start making passenger rail a priority in this country. Unfortunately, this also brings up the bigger issue of capacity and what we are able to accomplish with the limited rail capacity that currently exists in the United States. We need to find a dedicated source for increasing rail capacity and we need to do it now to prepare for the future. This may not be an easy task, but it is the right thing to do for future generations.

Ms. CORRINE BROWN of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I first of all want to thank Congressman Towns for hosting this energy information transportation session today. And I was very excited last weekend that I was in your district, and I was able to ride the train from Union Station to downtown New York. That distance, I was able to do it in 2\1/2\ hours, and the goal of our Transportation and Infrastructure Committee is to be able to do it in less time.