U.S. House of Representatives Knows Freight Rail Works
WASHINGTON, D.C. – July 28, 2010 – The U.S. House of Representatives unanimously voted July 27, 2010 in support of a resolution honoring America’s freight railroad industry and its employees.
“Freight rail has played a critical role in the economic development of the United States and has helped to build cities and strengthen infrastructure throughout this great Nation,” states the resolution. “Freight rail continues to play a vital role in the United States’ growth, job creation, and economic recovery.”
The resolution recognizing and honoring the freight railroad industry and its employees, H. Res. 1366, was sponsored by Congressman Phil Hare (D-IL) and supported by 28 bipartisan cosponsors. H. Res. 1366 passed the House by a vote of 411-0.
“We are honored the House has recognized the essential role the railroad industry has played in our nation's past and will continue to play in its future,” said AAR President and CEO Edward R. Hamberger. Whether it’s by supporting millions of American jobs, keeping the things we buy and use more affordable, or easing traffic congestion and lowering greenhouse gas emissions, freight rail provides tremendous benefits to America.”
Freight railroads generate nearly $265 billion in total annual economic activity, and directly or indirectly support more than 1.2 million U.S. jobs. Since 1980, railroad productivity has increased 144 percent, rail rates are down 49 percent, rail accident rates are down 75 percent, railroad fuel efficiency is up 104 percent, and railroads have reinvested some $460 billion back into their systems.
For More Information Contact: Lauren Sandberg, lsandberg@aar.org, 202-639-2528
About AAR: The Association of American Railroads (AAR) is the world's leading railroad policy, research and technology organization. AAR members include the major freight railroads, or Class I railroads, of the U.S., Canada and Mexico, as well as Amtrak. For more information, visit www.aar.org. Follow us on Twitter: AAR_FreightRail or Facebook: www.facebook.com/freightrail.
Lauren Jones Sandberg
Communications Department
Association of American Railroads
425 Third Street, SW
Washington, DC 20024
202-639-2528 (office)
202-439-0763 (mobile)
“Freight rail has played a critical role in the economic development of the United States and has helped to build cities and strengthen infrastructure throughout this great Nation,” states the resolution. “Freight rail continues to play a vital role in the United States’ growth, job creation, and economic recovery.”
The resolution recognizing and honoring the freight railroad industry and its employees, H. Res. 1366, was sponsored by Congressman Phil Hare (D-IL) and supported by 28 bipartisan cosponsors. H. Res. 1366 passed the House by a vote of 411-0.
“We are honored the House has recognized the essential role the railroad industry has played in our nation's past and will continue to play in its future,” said AAR President and CEO Edward R. Hamberger. Whether it’s by supporting millions of American jobs, keeping the things we buy and use more affordable, or easing traffic congestion and lowering greenhouse gas emissions, freight rail provides tremendous benefits to America.”
Freight railroads generate nearly $265 billion in total annual economic activity, and directly or indirectly support more than 1.2 million U.S. jobs. Since 1980, railroad productivity has increased 144 percent, rail rates are down 49 percent, rail accident rates are down 75 percent, railroad fuel efficiency is up 104 percent, and railroads have reinvested some $460 billion back into their systems.
For More Information Contact: Lauren Sandberg, lsandberg@aar.org, 202-639-2528
About AAR: The Association of American Railroads (AAR) is the world's leading railroad policy, research and technology organization. AAR members include the major freight railroads, or Class I railroads, of the U.S., Canada and Mexico, as well as Amtrak. For more information, visit www.aar.org. Follow us on Twitter: AAR_FreightRail or Facebook: www.facebook.com/freightrail.
Lauren Jones Sandberg
Communications Department
Association of American Railroads
425 Third Street, SW
Washington, DC 20024
202-639-2528 (office)
202-439-0763 (mobile)