Senators Meekhof, Casperson and Pappageorge offered the following resolution:

            Senate Resolution No. 148.

            A resolution to commemorate May 12, 2012, as National Train Day in the state of Michigan.

            Whereas, The United States of America has made a considerable financial commitment to expanding the nation's high-speed and intercity passenger rail (HSIPR) network, including funding for Michigan to purchase the rail corridor from Dearborn to Kalamazoo, which combined with the Amtrak rail corridor from Kalamazoo to Porter, Indiana, creating the longest passenger rail controlled corridor outside of the Northeast Corridor; and

            Whereas, Developing this pipeline of national high-speed and intercity passenger rail projects will revitalize the domestic manufacturing industry and create additional American jobs, building on the 1 million good-paying, middle-class American jobs that can never be outsourced and already supported by the rail industry; and

            Whereas, Ridership on Amtrak has grown eight out of the last nine years, further demonstrating the increased demand for intercity passenger rail services; and 

            Whereas, In highly-populated regions, Amtrak trains and infrastructure carry intercity 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, Amtrak annually provides intercity passenger rail travel to over 30 million Americans residing in 46 states; and

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

            Whereas, Passenger rail provides 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, In the state of Michigan, more than 880,900 people got on and off trains for fiscal year 2011; and

            Whereas, Our 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, 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 Senate, That the state of Michigan embraces Amtrak's invitation to Discover the Rail Way^SM  and endorses National Train Day on May 12, 2012; 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; and be it further

            Resolved, That events be held at our railroad stations to commemorate this momentous day in railroad history and for our communities.