(Washington, DC) - Congresswoman Brown made the following statement:

"Certainly, there is a lot of excitement and federal dollars that will be targeted for high speed and commuter rail transportation systems in the very near future.  I strongly believe that the new system needs to start with two or three very successful, high quality lines, with high ridership, regardless of their location.  And once their success becomes evident, other rail lines will inevitably follow in other locations throughout the country.  The Department of Transportation has announced that it had received 278 pre-applications for high-speed and intercity passenger rail funding, totaling $102 billion; a very clear indication that there is significant support for High Speed Rail nationwide and in Congress.

"After the first two to three lines high speed rail lines are up and running, the benefits of high speed and commuter rail investment will become evident both to the American people and to policymakers in Washington.  These initial rail lines would then serve as a successful model (much like the TGV in France, the AVE in Sprain, and the Trans rapid Maglev system in Germany), and would inspire the funding and construction of future projects.  For me, as the Chair of the House Transportation's Rail subcommittee, the eventual goal is to have commuter and high speed rail lines connecting nationwide to serve as an addition and future step to our current systems of transportation.  And of course, kudos go to President Obama and to Vice President Biden who strongly support high speed rail.  The Vice President in fact traveled back and forth from Delaware to Washington DC on Amtrak during the entire 30 years he was in the Senate.

"Obviously, being a representative from Florida, I want more than anything for our state to be first in line to receive funding for a high speed rail line.  I want to be absolutely certain though that the line chosen for our state is one that is successful, which to me, signifies having high ridership.  Our state needs to work together, which means to have a partnership between the federal, state and local transportation departments.

"If the goal of nationwide high speed and commuter rail is realized, the system will not only serve as a tremendous benefit to our nation's transportation needs, but will also be a superb asset towards getting thousands of people back to work by creating quality jobs in our economy's manufacturing sector."

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