Fellow rails... until you get an awesome response from your local rep like this one, I would continue emailing, calling or writing. Bill Foster 11th District of Illinois foster.house.gov 1224 Longworth House Office Building Washington, DC 20515 (202) 225-3515 August 5, 2014 Dear Mr. Brownfield: Thank you for contacting me about H.R.3040, the Safe Freight Act. I appreciate your active participation in our legislative process. Your involvement helps me more effectively represent you and the Eleventh District of Illinois. I share your concerns on this issue, and hope you will be pleased to learn that I am a co-sponsor of H.R.3040. As you know, on July 6, 2013, an unattended 74-car freight train carrying crude oil ran away and derailed in the Canadian town of Lac Megantic, just north of Maine. 42 people were confirmed dead and more than 30 buildings in the town were destroyed. The train was operated by a U.S. company, the Montreal, Maine and Atlantic Railway (MM&A). While the Canadian investigation into this accident is still ongoing, local newspapers report that the freight train was being operated by just one person. Class I freight railroads like Union Pacific and BNSF all have at least two-person crews, while many of the smaller short-line railroads frequently operate freight trains with less than two people. On August 2nd, 2013, my colleague, Representative Michael Michaud (D-ME) introduced H.R.3040. This bill would require all freight trains to be operated by both a Federal Railroad Administration certified operator and a conductor at all times. H.R.3040 is currently pending before the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. While I do not serve on this committee, please know that as a co-sponsor of this legislation I plan to vote for it if I have the opportunity. I apologize for the delay in responding to your concerns. It is my policy to respond to every one of the thousands of emails, faxes and letters I receive each month. Hearing from the people I serve is vital to doing my job right. Thank you again for taking the time to share your concerns and I hope you keep in touch with me on this or any other issue you feel important. To stay informed of my work, or to sign up for my electronic newsletters, please visit my website at foster.house.gov. It is an honor to represent you. Sincerely, Bill Foster Member of Congress
Posted on: Thu, 07 Aug 2014 00:33:40 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015