The URL can be used to link to this page

272538 M�HITE - CITV CLERK COUflCll ^��,��V �. PINK - FINANCE G I TY OF SA I NT � PALT�L CANARV - DEPARTMENT BLUE - MAVOR File NO. Cou il l ' n . Presented By Leonard W. Levine Referred To Committee: Date Out of Committee By Date WHEREAS, the North Coast Hiawatha provides vital passenger rail travel from Chicago to Seattle, including direct service to Winona, Red Wing, the Twin Cities, St. Cloud, Staples, Detroit Lakes, and Moorhead-Fargo; and WHEREAS, thousands and thousands of our people utilize this passenger train in their business, schooling, and recreation; and WHEREAS, the dangerous shortage of crude oil worldwide has prompted the United States to consider closing gasoline stations on weekends and to ban Sunday driving; and WHEREAS, passenger travel by rail is energy efficient and provides the alternative to the private auto; and WHEREAS, in the event of national or international emergency, passenger trains offer the best possible method of large-scale movement of people; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, by the City Council of the City of St. Paul that the President of the United States , the Secretary of Transportation, and the Congress act quickly to retain the North Coast Hiawatha� in the National Amtrak Transportation System; and be it FURTHER RESOLVED, that copies of this resolution be sent to the President of the United States, the President of the Senate of the United States, the Speaker of the House of Representatives of the United States, the Secretary of Transportation, and the Minnesota Representatives and Senators in Congress. COUNCILMEIV . Requested by Department of: Yeas Nays Butler Hozza In Favor Hunt L,evine __��__ A gai n s t BY — Maddox Showalter � 2 0 1�� Tede Form Approved by City Attorney Adopted Council: Date Ce ied Yass y Counc,il Secretar}1 BY t� d by ;Vlavor: te _ �� 6 ��. Approved by Mayor for Submission to Council c. „ i g _ By qua►.i�sH�u MAR 3 19� � � � �� _�..�.�...._.��... . ARLAN STANGELAND o�ieES: 7ni nisneicr,M�w�esor� f ate w�wwo�Nouse orr,cc e�n�oiNo WASXINaroN,D.C. 20S1S COMMITT[[Q; (202)225-2165 GOVffRNMENT OPERATIONS �o�gre�� of t�je ��r.iteb �tate� M-F Bu��ntNo PUBLiC WORKS AND TRANSPORTATION 40J Corrrw Avwus �ouge of �te�regentatibe� M�,��.M,�� sas� (218)2��8691 m�as�crt��on,�.�. 2o5t5 March 8, 1979 Ms. Rose Mix Ci ty Cl erk 386 City Hall Saint Paul , Minnesota 55102 Dear Ms. Mix: Thank you for your recent letter expressing opposition to the Depart- ment of Transportation's proposal to reduce Amtrak services. I appreciate your thoughts on this matter of extreme importance and share your concern regarding this proposed action. Since this proposal would seriously affect many communities presently served by Amtrak, I am cosponsoring Congressman James Jeffo rds' resolution that would disapprove the Department of Transportation' s final recommendations for Amtrak's basic route system. These recommendations call for a reduction of Amtrak services that would affect 43% of Amtrak's rail network. Such a major reduction of services would impact adversely on many large and small communities. Moreover, there is no strong argument that such a reduction would have a correspondingly positive effect on the system. With the uncertain availability of energy resources in. both the short and long term, such action by the Department is inconsistent with a good energy conservation policy. Existing and promising routes should not be abandoned. A better alternative would be to strengthen these routes in order to bolster the entire Amtrak system. I appreciate the benefit of your thinking on this matter of mutual concern. Please do not hesitate to contact me if I can be of f urther assistance. With best regards, I am Sin rely, Arlan Stange and Member of Co ngres s c �. _._��...�.a�.�..��:��..._.:_ COMMITTEEB: WASHIN6TON OFFiCE: EDUCATION AND LABOR fOt7 LorwwowrH House OFflae Buan�no SMALL BUt41NE8$ �2'2�"�� CONGRESSMAN ARLEN ERDAHI. °'�""'°F"""E$` �sr a�srR�cr.M�►,r�sor� 704 MnaCUrr'r�B�rec Buu.oin� courrr�es: HOUSE OF REPRESENTATI VES R°�"�°Tw'.""""E�o*" 5590f DAKOTA RICE � gp�_Zgg�2,ggq FILLM60RE �HA WASHINGTON, �.C. 2�51J $SE.Werrtwat7HAVeriue OOODHUE WASHIN6TON W`gr�,p�y�,M�Nt�s07A 55716 NOUSTON WINONA ou�+s�o a�zaa.e-n�s March 7, 1979 Rose Mix City Clerk, City of St. Paul Bureau of Records 386 City Hall St. Paul, Minnesota 55102 Dear Ms. Mix: Thank you for forwarding me the copy of the Resolution passed by the St. Paul City Council on February 20, 1979 and approved by Mayor Latimer on February 26, 1979. I agree with your assessment that in this time of energy consciousness we should not be moving to eliminate our most economical transportation service. The quality of AMTRAK service is improving. I feel that the emphasis should be in improving the quality of service so AMTRAK will become an attractive trans- portation alternative. I am in favor of providing as many transportation alternatives to our citizens as possible. Minnesota has been well served by AMTRAK and I support its continuation. I appreciate being advised of the City Council's position on this important issue. With best regars, I am Sincerely yours ARLEN ERDt3HL Member of Congress AE:sca BRUCE F.VENTO ' HOUSE COMMI7TEE ON 4ni D�srwc7',M�w+eso7A BANKING,FINANCE AND URBAN AFFAIRS 4Y.L' CANNON HOUSE OFFlCE BUILDIN6 SUBCOMM�TTEEB: �� (202)225-6681 �o�tgre�� of t�e ��fteb �ta�te� �CCONSUM RABAFF RSION INTERNATIONAL TRADE,INVESTMENT ROBERT E.HESS AND MONETARY POLICIES ,�M,N,S�,n�E�s,�,� �ouge of �e�regetttatibeg DisrnicrO�tce: HOUSE COMMITTEE ON Roonn 544 ��tt��. 20515 INTERIOR AND INSULAR AFFAIRS F��Bun.o�NO N+n U.S.Coufer HousE 91B N.Roeear SrR�r 8°ec°MM�n�s` SAINT PAUL,MttalE50TA 55101 ENERGY AND THE ENVIRONMENT �8�2��25-�669 WpTER AND POWER RESOURCES 6ENERAL OVERSIGHT AND ALASKA March 21, 1979 LANDB Honorable Rose Mix City Clerk City of St. Paul 386 City Hall St. Paul, Minnesota 55102 Dear NIs. . Thank you for your letter voicing opposition to the Department of Transportation recommendation on Amtrak route restructuring. During the 95th Congress, I consistently voiced my support for the development of a viable national rail passenger system. While recognizing the many faults that have and continue to plague Amtrak, I felt that it was essential for our country to maintain its passenger rail service and I worked to insure its continuation. My opinion on this issue has not changed and, in fact, in view of the current energy situation, I am more convinced of the positive role that a strong rail passenger system could provide in our efforts to become energy independent. It is most imperative that Congress, the President, the Department of Transportation and Amtrak work together to eliminate the problems currently facing Amtrak and to establish a system that will attract more users and offer a viable alternative mode of transportation. The Department's recommendations do not accomplish that goal. Indeed, the proposed cutbacks in service would seem to foreshadow the eventual extinction of rail passenger service in the United States. Rest assured that I will oppose the current recommendations of the Department of Transportation regarding Amtrak and that I will continue to support and work for the development of a strong and viable national rail passenger system. Warm regards, Si er , / �� ruce F. Vento Member of Congress BFV/cw THIS STATIONERY PRINTED ON PAPER MADE WITH RECYCLED FIBERS <t ; . - � � • . r� � A . , 7 �,3 g , .� . . : , , , : , , , . , _ - � . , , - . , s _ , . , . _ - . �,, . , , , � � � , .� �� - � � � . - , � � � � _ - - . .; . . ; � . � � � � � � .. : • � _ ` . ,' .,,�,l.y P8': i9'T9 ' , 9 _ � r � �; 3'!w� Fresident , . .: ' ' i�,t�Ee HouN � _ �� i�h�hin,gton� �D. C. � . ; . � Desr l�tr. Prst3de�t s _ � - , , , , � . �� ' • ;� At�hed for yonr infoi�tioa a�d con�id�rsLion` is a rea�aln�iaa . � of t1�a Sl�iz�t Pa�l C1t,y Couttcil:, C.P'. lto. '2`�"25'�8, ado�ttd ' FlbrnsrY ��► �'9?'9s urgin� tbirt� t�et �lor�l� Casst g:t�atb�lt be �: re�t�nad i.a #.be �fa�Ci�onal Am�rak �partstion 3yst�m. z , � Very �ru11Y Your�� ; , � . , `{ , , � � . . � " "� . 120,�6 Y�ifC : / . � � Cit,y Ci��k � . � � ' _ , � + { . � . , � . � A��aQh. ' - , , . :, A�tla � 4 • ' . . c�s' The bioe Presid�nt . � Sp�N�ksr o! t2� Howe o! Rspr�ssata�faea � 9eeret�ary nf ?r��portatioo � biingrsots Dele�stee in Coagr�aa . i , � � ,� ,\ ` . . � , . � , , ` , ' � ' : . ; y , , � ; • , ` j - , , j . �' � : r _� , . � ' } " ' . � . �