HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 39
(By Delegate Staggers)
Proclaiming the importance of rail to West Virginia and supporting
the continuation of balanced federal rail regulation.
Whereas, Railroads have long fueled the economic and social
development of West Virginia, beginning in the 1850s when rail
connected West Virginia to the nation and extending to the present
day. Railroads made it possible for West Virginia to power the
nation with the delivery of coal which has fueled business and
industry and provided heat and light for the homes of millions of
Americans for over a century. Railroads today directly employ over
5,000 West Virginians in good paying jobs and support thousands of
other jobs in countless other sectors of our economy; and
Whereas, Federal bureaucratic intrusion nearly decimated
railroads in the 1960s and 1970s to the detriment of the people of
West Virginia and the nation, but Congressman Harley Staggers of
West Virginia authorized legislation, known as the Staggers Rail
Act of 1980 and signed into law by President Jimmy Carter in 1980,
which reformed regulations on rail and held railroads accountable
while allowing them to grow and serve the people of West Virginia
and all Americans. This Act made it possible for railroads of today to become the safest, most fuel efficient, cost effective and
environmentally friendly means of moving freight. A train can move
a ton of freight four hundred twenty-three miles on a single gallon
of fuel and one train can carry the load of two hundred eighty
trucks or more; and
Whereas, Continued expansion and revitalization of rail will
reduce our dependence on foreign oil, lessen emissions of
greenhouse gases, create jobs, lower transportation costs and
improve the quality of life for all West Virginians and all
Americans; therefore, be it
Resolved by the House of Delegates:
That the State of West Virginia supports preservation of
today's balance rail regulations which hold rail accountable while
allowing it to expand to meet the nations's needs; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the State of West Virginia supports
federal policies, including investment tax incentives, that would
help expand and revitalize West Virginia and the nation's freight
rail system; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates
forward a certified copy of this resolution to the members of the
West Virginia delegation in Congress.