Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users

TRANSPORTATION EQUITY ACT: A LEGACY FOR USERS -- (House of Representatives - April 01, 2004)

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Mr. YOUNG of Alaska. Mr. Chairman, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Arkansas (Mr. Boozman).

Mr. BOOZMAN. Mr. Chairman, first, I would like to thank the gentleman from Alaska (Chairman Young), the gentleman from Wisconsin (Chairman PETRI), as well as the gentleman from Minnesota (Ranking Member Oberstar) and the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Lipinski). Their dedication and leadership on this legislation is commendable. I would also like to commend the committee staff for all their hard work on this bill. It has truly been a pleasure to work with them.

Mr. Chairman, H.R. 3550, the Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy For Users, is legislation our country needs to not only maintain but also to grow our Nation's infrastructure.

When I came to Congress, I followed a visionary member of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, Mr. John Paul Hammerschmidt. Congressman Hammerschmidt served on the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure for decades, and he was instrumental in advancing our Nation's transportation infrastructure into the 21st century.

Like Mr. Hammerschmidt, I understand the importance of passing a robust transportation bill that provides for infrastructure development across the country.

During the last year, I traveled with the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure to examine our transportation needs. From Fort Smith, Arkansas, to Chicago, Illinois, we heard the same thing: Our Nation must invest in transportation infrastructure. Each city and town, even the rural areas in our States, are in dire need of infrastructure dollars.

Our Nation is growing and prospering. However, our cities and towns are suffering from congestion and poor roads. We must continue growth by passing this legislation, which will allow for continued development. This will not only lessen congestion on our roads, but it will also provide for economic development across the country. This bill provides for growth, it provides for jobs, and it provides for increased safety to our traveling public.

Mr. Chairman, I thank the committee for their dedication to passing this critical legislation, and I encourage my colleagues to support H.R. 3550.

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