Reps. Wayne Schmidt, Huuki, Ouimet, Roy Schmidt, Liss, Byrum, Opsommer, Glardon, Nathan, Heise, Potvin, Hughes, Price, Jacobsen, Foster, O'Brien, Zorn, Walsh, Lund, Haines, Tyler, Olson, LaFontaine, Muxlow, Goike, Denby, McCann, Durhal, Pscholka, Kurtz, Jenkins, Meadows, Olumba, Irwin, Melton, Geiss, Clemente, Bledsoe, MacGregor, Stallworth, Barnett, Brunner, Crawford, Darany, LeBlanc, Lindberg, Lori, Poleski and Slavens offered the following resolution:

            House Resolution No. 79.  

            A resolution to declare May 7, 2011, as Train Day in the state of Michigan. 

Whereas, Ridership on Amtrak reaches historic high levels each year, and is on track in 2011 for its best ridership year ever, further demonstrating the increased demand for statewide passenger rail services; and 

            Whereas, Amtrak provided statewide passenger rail travel to over 750,000 million Michigan travelers in 2010; and

            Whereas, Amtrak annually provides passenger rail travel to over 25 million Americans residing in 46 states; and

            Whereas, For many rural Americans, Amtrak represents the only major passenger transportation link to the rest of the country; and

            Whereas, Michigan’s 22 railroad stations are a source of civic pride, a gateway to our communities and a tool for economic growth that creates transportation-oriented development and livable communities; and

            Whereas, In highly populated regions, Amtrak trains and infrastructure carry passengers and commuters to and from work in congested metropolitan areas, providing a reliable rail option while reducing congestion on roads and in the skies; and

            Whereas, Passenger railways provide a more fuel-efficient transportation system thereby providing cleaner transportation alternatives and energy security; and

            Whereas, When combined with all modes of transportation, passenger railroads emit only 0.2 percent of the travel industry’s total greenhouse gases and one freight train can move a ton of freight 457 miles on one gallon of fuel; and

            Whereas, On May 10, 1869, the “golden spike” was driven into the final tie at Promontory Summit, Utah to join the Central Pacific and the Union Pacific Railroads, ceremonially completing the first transcontinental railroad and therefore connecting both coasts of the United States; now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the House of Representatives, That the members of this legislative body declare May 7, 2011, as Train Day in the state of Michigan.  We embrace Amtrak’s invitation to Discover the Rail Way and encourage our communities to hold events at rail stations to commemorate this momentous day in railroad history; and be it further

            Resolved, That we recognize and celebrate the pivotal role that a robust intercity passenger rail system can provide for better mobility for persons of all abilities.