Assembly Resolution No. 207

BY: M. of A. Sayegh

COMMEMORATING the 50th Anniversary of the National
Railroad Passenger Corporation, also known as Amtrak

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize
organizations which have positively impacted and substantially
contributed to the vitality of the State of New York; and

WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to
commemorate the 50th Anniversary of the National Railroad Passenger
Corporation, also known as Amtrak; and

WHEREAS, Amtrak is a public-private corporation founded in 1971,
which took ownership of most of the intercity passenger rail service in
the United States and operates passenger railroads across 500 locations
throughout 46 states; and

WHEREAS, On October 30, 1970, Congress passed legislation chartering
Amtrak in an effort to protect railroads from further decay following a
decline in passenger service through the latter half of the 20th
Century; and

WHEREAS, The United States Department of Transportation offered any
operator of intercity rail service a chance to join the public-private
partnership, of which 20 of the 26 railroads still offering passenger
service obliged to join, including all operators in the State of New
York; and

WHEREAS, On May 1, 1971, Amtrak began passenger service in several
major corridors, including those in New York, where Amtrak inaugurated
passenger service on its Empire Service Line serving cities between New
York and Buffalo; and

WHEREAS, Today, Amtrak serves over 31 million passengers in the
United States across nearly 22,000 miles of track, as well as operates
dozens of routes across the State of New York; and

WHEREAS, Amtrak is central to the State of New York's economy,
providing reliable and affordable passenger rail service to millions of
New Yorkers across hundreds of miles; and

WHEREAS, Amtrak brings New Yorkers together, transporting thousands
of business travelers, families, college students, and legislators
across New York's Empire Corridor routes annually; and

WHEREAS, Amtrak continues to innovate in passenger rail, offering
cost effective and ecologically sustainable options, including new
high-speed trains which can travel over 200 miles per hour; and

WHEREAS, It is with great pleasure that this Legislative Body
acknowledges this important milestone in the history of Amtrak; now,
therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commemorate the 50th Anniversary of the National Railroad Passenger
Corporation, also known as Amtrak; and be it further

RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed be
transmitted to The New York Amtrak Business Office, The Yonkers Railroad
Station, and Amtrak National Headquarters.