STATEMENT OF R. HUNTER BIDEN, NOMINEE TO BE A MEMBER OF THE
AMTRAK REFORM BOARD
Mr. Biden. Yes, I do, Mr. Chairman, thank you. Mr.
Chairman, Mr. Co-Chairman, Members of the Committee, I am
honored to appear before you today, and I am honored that
President Bush has nominated me to be a Member of the Amtrak
Reform Board. Amtrak touches so many facets of so many
Americans lives, and if confirmed, I look forward to working
with the Members of this Committee and the Congress to make
sure that Amtrak continues to play that important role to so
many people who rely on it daily. I see this appointment as a
great opportunity to help turn around what can and must be a
key component of our transportation system. What should be one
of our success stories; right now it is one of our biggest
challenges.
I believe that my experience in government, at the U.S.
Department of Commerce working for both Secretary Daley and
Secretary Mineta, and in the private sector, in both banking
and the law has prepared me well for this position. At the same
time, as a frequent commuter and Amtrak customer for over 30
years, I have literally logged thousands of miles on Amtrak. I
hope that I can bring my perspective to the Board as one of the
millions of customers who ride and depend upon Amtrak every
day. It has been through my experience as a customer that I
have developed a deep respect for the organization and its
employees, and I know how much they believe in and are
committed to making Amtrak a safe and reliable service. It is
also as a longtime Amtrak customer that I know first hand some
of the many problems Amtrak faces as an organization.
Working together, I believe that Members of the Board,
Members of Congress, the Administration and the employees of
Amtrak can overcome many of the issues intercity rail faces
today. If confirmed, I look forward to being a part of that
discussion and look forward to the challenge. Amtrak is too
important to our economy for it not to be in the best financial
health possible. I take the fiduciary responsibility required
by the Members of the Board very seriously, and believe that
above all else that the American people expect that its
national rail system be run as safely, efficiently and cost-
effectively as possible.
I also recognize that Amtrak affects, and is affected by,
many of the most important issues of the day. In an era of
mounting energy concerns in which driving a car is getting more
and more expensive, intercity rail must be part of the
solution. A healthy national passenger rail system can provide
millions of commuters with a reliable and hopefully, cost-
effective alternative to other forms of transportation. In
addition, I believe that in the 21st Century a robust, cost
efficient national passenger rail system is a necessity, and
that you can not look at the energy and environmental issues
facing our country today without looking at intercity rail and
Amtrak as a part of the solution.
Finally, if confirmed, I particularly look forward to
working with the Members of this Committee and the Congress to
ensure that Amtrak is an integral part of our homeland security
strategy. I believe that it is imperative that Amtrak work
closely with Federal and local law enforcement to make sure
that our commuter rail system is safe from terrorist attack. I
hope to have the opportunity to work with the Members of this
Committee and the Congress to solve some of these challenges
facing Amtrak and I want to thank you for the opportunity to
appear before you and I welcome any questions the Committee may
have. Thank you.
Facebook
Twitter