The Text of the
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A
Declaration by the Amtrak Reform Council
Preamble
Whereas,
the Amtrak Reform Council is charged with oversight of Amtrak's
performance under the Amtrak Reform and Accountability Act,
and
Whereas,
the Council has reached a judgment regarding Amtrak's performance,
and
Whereas,
the Council believes that passenger rail can and should have
a bright future in America, and
Whereas
the Congress has declared that a national system of intercity
rail passenger service is essential to the overall transportation
needs of America, and
Whereas
there are a variety of ways to realize this end, and
Whereas
the Council has studied Amtrak's institutional structure and
performance and has concluded that Amtrak, as it is currently
structured, funded, and operated, is not capable of delivering
the improvements in passenger rail service that are needed,
and
Whereas
the Council will provide recommendations for reform that can
be implemented by a transition that minimizes interruption
of service and impact on the employees, and
Whereas
there is indisputable evidence that throughout the years since
enactment of the Amtrak Reform and Accountability Act, Amtrak
has not made any significant progress toward operational self-sufficiency
--
Resolution
The
Amtrak Reform Council on this 9th day of November 2001,
resolves
that --
- Pursuant to
Section 204 of the Amtrak Reform and Accountability Act
of 1997 (Public Law 105-134) (ARAA), the Amtrak Reform Council,
after taking into account and giving due and careful consideration
to all the relevant factors set forth in that section, formally
finds that Amtrak's business performance will prevent it
from meeting the financial goals set forth in 49 U.S.C.
24101(d).
- Pursuant to
Section 204 of the ARAA, the Amtrak Reform Council, after
taking into account and giving due and careful consideration
to all the relevant factors set forth in that section, formally
finds that Amtrak will require operating grant funds after
December 2, 2002.
- Pursuant to
Section 204(a) of the ARAA, the Council shall immediately
notify the President, the Committee on Commerce, Science
and Transportation of the United States Senate and the Committee
on Transportation and Infrastructure of the United States
House of Representatives of the above findings.
- Pursuant to
Section 204 (c) of the ARAA, the Council shall develop and
submit to the Congress an action plan for a restructured
and rationalized national intercity rail passenger system
within 90 days of the above findings.
The ARC is an independent federal commission established under the Amtrak Reform
and Accountability Act of 1997 (P.L. 105-134). |