File #: Res 1355-2008    Version: * Name: Commemorating the National Association of Railroad Passengers’ 40th Anniversary marked by their “Grow Rail Campaign.”
Type: Resolution Status: Filed
Committee: Committee on Transportation
On agenda: 4/16/2008
Enactment date: Law number:
Title: Resolution commemorating the National Association of Railroad Passengers’ 40th Anniversary marked by their “Grow Rail Campaign.”
Sponsors: Larry B. Seabrook, Gale A. Brewer, Leroy G. Comrie, Jr., Vincent J. Gentile, Letitia James, John C. Liu
Council Member Sponsors: 6
Date Ver.Prime SponsorAction ByActionResultAction DetailsMeeting DetailsMultimedia
12/31/2009*Larry B. Seabrook City Council Filed (End of Session)  Action details Meeting details Not available
4/16/2008*Larry B. Seabrook City Council Referred to Comm by Council  Action details Meeting details Not available
4/16/2008*Larry B. Seabrook City Council Introduced by Council  Action details Meeting details Not available

Res. No. 1355

 

Resolution commemorating the National Association of Railroad Passengers’ 40th Anniversary marked by their “Grow Rail Campaign.”

 

By Council Members Seabrook, Brewer, Comrie, Gentile, James and Liu

 

                     Whereas, The National Association of Railroad Passengers (NARP) is the largest citizen-based organization advocating for train and rail transit passengers; and

                     Whereas, NARP currently boasts that their work is supported by more than 23,000 individual members; and

Whereas, NARP has worked since 1967 to expand the quality and quantity of passenger rail in the United States, working towards a modern, customer-focused national passenger train network that provides a travel choice that Americans want; and

                     Whereas, Trains are far more energy efficient than cars or planes and according to the findings of Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Amtrak used 20.5% less energy than domestic airplanes and 27.2% less energy than automobiles per passenger-mile based on 2005 data; and

                     Whereas, According to a recent Harris and Wirthlin poll, nearly 80% of adults would like to see an increase in travel by commuter or intercity rail, and almost two-thirds say their communities need more transportation options; and

                     Whereas, On June 25, 2007, NARP marked their 40th anniversary by launching their “Grow the Rail Campaign” calling for renewed federal/state commitment to the nation’s rail system; and

                     Whereas, There are currently 22,000 route miles of rail lines and NARP’s campaign proposal would bring the number of route miles to 45,000, comparable to the current miles of the interstate highway system in the United States; and

                     Whereas, NARP’s “Grow Rail Campaign” once implemented would alleviate congestion, increase commuter choices, promote energy efficiency and encourage sensitivity to the environment; and

                     Whereas, The “Grow Rail Campaign” would result in positive ramifications for New York State with proposed train lines running from New York City through Scranton, Pennsylvania to Binghamton, Elmira and Buffalo; now, therefore, be it

                     Resolved, That the Council of the City of New York commemorates the National Association of Railroad Passengers’ 40th Anniversary marked by their “Grow Rail Campaign.”

 

JM

LS# 4137

April 8, 2008