The Congressional Record is a unique source of public documentation. It started in 1873, documenting nearly all the major and minor policies being discussed and debated.
“SUBMITTED RESOLUTIONS” mentioning the U.S. Dept. of Transportation was published in the Senate section on pages S6676 on Nov. 12, 2020.
The Department handles nearly all infrastructure crisscrossing the country. Downsizing the Federal Government, a project aimed at lowering taxes and boosting federal efficiency, said the Department should be privatized to save money, reduce congestion and spur innovation.
The publication is reproduced in full below:
SUBMITTED RESOLUTIONS
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SENATE RESOLUTION 768--EXPRESSING SUPPORT FOR THE DESIGNATION OF THE WEEK OF SEPTEMBER 20 THROUGH SEPTEMBER 26, 2020, AS RAIL SAFETY WEEK IN
THE UNITED STATES, AND SUPPORTING THE GOALS AND IDEALS OF RAIL SAFETY
WEEK TO REDUCE RAIL-RELATED ACCIDENTS, FATALITIES, AND INJURIES
Mr. WICKER (for himself, Ms. Cantwell, Mrs. Fischer, and Ms. Duckworth) submitted the following resolution; which was considered and agreed to:
S. Res. 768
Whereas the first Rail Safety Week was held from September 24 through September 30, 2017, by the national education safety nonprofit Operation Lifesaver, the Department of Transportation, and other organizations;
Whereas Rail Safety Week was launched to raise awareness about the need for increased education on how to be safe around highway-rail grade crossings and railroad tracks and to highlight efforts to further reduce collisions, injuries, and fatalities;
Whereas highway-rail grade crossing and trespassing accidents constituted approximately 97 percent of all rail related fatalities during 2019;
Whereas since 2005--
(1) the number of public crossings has decreased by 8 percent; and
(2) the number of gates at public crossings has increased by 36 percent;
Whereas in 2019, 49 percent of all grade crossing collisions and 65 percent of all fatal grade crossing collisions occurred at gated crossings;
Whereas preliminary Federal statistics indicate that 2,228 highway-grade crossing collisions occurred in the United States in 2019, resulting in 299 deaths and the injury of another 822 individuals;
Whereas many collisions between trains and motor vehicles or pedestrians could have been prevented by increased education, engineering, and enforcement;
Whereas Operation Lifesaver, the foremost public information and education program on rail safety, administers a public education program about grade-crossing safety and trespassing prevention;
Whereas during Rail Safety Week, from September 20 through 26, and throughout the year, everyone is encouraged to take added caution as motorists or pedestrians approach tracks or trains;
Whereas the United States, Canada, and Mexico will concurrently observe Rail Safety Week; and
Whereas this important observance should lead to greater safety awareness and a reduction in highway-rail grade crossing crashes and pedestrian and railroad incidents: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the Senate--
(1) supports the designation of Rail Safety Week;
(2) expresses strong support for--
(A) the goals and ideals of Rail Safety Week; and
(B) efforts to reduce rail-related accidents, fatalities, and injuries; and
(3) encourages the people of the United States--
(A) to participate in Rail Safety Week events and activities; and
(B) to educate themselves and others on how to be safe around railroad tracks.
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