Okay I know that these letters are written by some flunkie in her office but I thought I share with you a letter I just got from my senator, Diane Feinstein, in reply to a letter I wrote a couple of months ago. It is by far the most detailed response letter I have recevied from anyone political.
... Thank you for contacting me to express your support for
Amtrak. Your interest in our nation's passenger rail system is
important to me, and I welcome the opportunity to respond to your
concerns.
Amtrak began operation in 1971 to relieve failing railroad
companies of their operations without sacrificing passenger rail
service in the United States. The federal government took on that
responsibility because legislators listened to the concerns of
citizens across the country, most of whom believe that we benefit
tremendously from widespread passenger rail service.
Amtrak not only provides a convenient, inexpensive
transportation option to many Americans, but it also forms a
crucial part of our transportation infrastructure, during a time when
security concerns have made it harder, not easier, to move goods
and people from place to place. Although Amtrak operates at a
deficit, as do most passenger rail systems around the world, it does
not consume a disproportionate share of federal transportation
dollars given the services that it provides. I have received
countless letters from constituents describing their enjoyment of
trips on the Coast Starlight, California Zephyr, and other routes.
Senator Ernest F. Hollings (D-SC) introduced the "National
Defense Rail Act" (S.1991) in March of this year in an effort to
establish a strong and efficient national passenger rail system.
Please know that I am a co-sponsor of this bill. This legislation
will provide Amtrak with the tools and funding it needs to operate
efficiently. The bill will help develop high-speed rail corridors and
will allow regional transportation solutions to play a part in the
national system. It will also aid in the development of short
distance corridors between larger urban centers.
Senator Hollings' bill was recently approved by the Senate
Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee, and I am
hopeful that it will be approved by the full Senate during this
session of Congress. In the interim, I co-signed a letter to Senator
Byrd (D-WV) and other members of the Senate Appropriations
Committee, asking them to include $1.2 billion for Amtrak in the
Fiscal Year 2003 Appropriations bill. I am committed to seeing
not only that Amtrak does not shut down, but that it receives the
full funding necessary to carry out the maintenance and capital
improvements necessary for its long-term health.
Once again, thank you for your letter on this important
matter. I hope you will continue to keep in touch on issues of
importance to you. If you have any questions, please feel free to
contact my Washington, D.C. staff at (202)224-3841.
... Thank you for contacting me to express your support for
Amtrak. Your interest in our nation's passenger rail system is
important to me, and I welcome the opportunity to respond to your
concerns.
Amtrak began operation in 1971 to relieve failing railroad
companies of their operations without sacrificing passenger rail
service in the United States. The federal government took on that
responsibility because legislators listened to the concerns of
citizens across the country, most of whom believe that we benefit
tremendously from widespread passenger rail service.
Amtrak not only provides a convenient, inexpensive
transportation option to many Americans, but it also forms a
crucial part of our transportation infrastructure, during a time when
security concerns have made it harder, not easier, to move goods
and people from place to place. Although Amtrak operates at a
deficit, as do most passenger rail systems around the world, it does
not consume a disproportionate share of federal transportation
dollars given the services that it provides. I have received
countless letters from constituents describing their enjoyment of
trips on the Coast Starlight, California Zephyr, and other routes.
Senator Ernest F. Hollings (D-SC) introduced the "National
Defense Rail Act" (S.1991) in March of this year in an effort to
establish a strong and efficient national passenger rail system.
Please know that I am a co-sponsor of this bill. This legislation
will provide Amtrak with the tools and funding it needs to operate
efficiently. The bill will help develop high-speed rail corridors and
will allow regional transportation solutions to play a part in the
national system. It will also aid in the development of short
distance corridors between larger urban centers.
Senator Hollings' bill was recently approved by the Senate
Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee, and I am
hopeful that it will be approved by the full Senate during this
session of Congress. In the interim, I co-signed a letter to Senator
Byrd (D-WV) and other members of the Senate Appropriations
Committee, asking them to include $1.2 billion for Amtrak in the
Fiscal Year 2003 Appropriations bill. I am committed to seeing
not only that Amtrak does not shut down, but that it receives the
full funding necessary to carry out the maintenance and capital
improvements necessary for its long-term health.
Once again, thank you for your letter on this important
matter. I hope you will continue to keep in touch on issues of
importance to you. If you have any questions, please feel free to
contact my Washington, D.C. staff at (202)224-3841.
