<div class="xtend"><a id="pl.1.1"></a><var>1.1</var>A resolution<br />
         		<a id="pl.1.2"></a><var>1.2</var>in support of Amtrak funding in the state of Minnesota.<br />
         		<a id="pl.1.3"></a><var>1.3</var>WHEREAS, Amtrak serves over 25 million passengers every year, transporting people to <br />
         		<a id="pl.1.4"></a><var>1.4</var>500 stations in 46 states; and  <br />
         		<a id="pl.1.5"></a><var>1.5</var>WHEREAS, for every one person who travels by air, five persons travel by rail; and  <br />
         		<a id="pl.1.6"></a><var>1.6</var>WHEREAS, Amtrak provided the most effective mode of passenger transportation still <br />
         		<a id="pl.1.7"></a><var>1.7</var>operating after the World Trade Center tragedy of September 11, 2001; and  <br />
         		<a id="pl.1.8"></a><var>1.8</var>WHEREAS, Amtrak constitutes the most effective, environmentally sound, and energy <br />
         		<a id="pl.1.9"></a><var>1.9</var>efficient method of transporting large numbers of persons over mid and long-range distances, <br />
         		<a id="pl.1.10"></a><var>1.10</var>with 189,017 Minnesota boardings and alightings in 2006; and  <br />
         		<a id="pl.1.11"></a><var>1.11</var>WHEREAS, the federal government provides many billions of dollars in financial subsidies <br />
         		<a id="pl.1.12"></a><var>1.12</var>for highways, airports, and waterways; and  <br />
         		<a id="pl.1.13"></a><var>1.13</var>WHEREAS, Amtrak seeks less than $2 billion in federal appropriation and spent over $42 <br />
         		<a id="pl.1.14"></a><var>1.14</var>million for goods and services in Minnesota in fiscal year 2006; and  <br />
         		<a id="pl.1.15"></a><var>1.15</var>WHEREAS, the presidential administration continues to propose a 40 percent underfunding <br />
         		<a id="pl.1.16"></a><var>1.16</var>of identified capital and operational needs for Amtrak service; and  <br />
         		<a id="pl.1.17"></a><var>1.17</var>WHEREAS, demand for Amtrak service in Wisconsin, Illinois, Missouri, and Michigan has <br />
         		<a id="pl.1.18"></a><var>1.18</var>increased significantly with mid-range, cross-state service routes; and  <br />
         		<a id="pl.1.19"></a><var>1.19</var>WHEREAS, the Midwest High Speed Passenger Rail Corridor will run on the current <br />
         		<a id="pl.1.20"></a><var>1.20</var>and active Amtrak Empire Builder route; and  <br />
         		<a id="pl.2.1"></a><var>2.1</var>WHEREAS, the state of Minnesota seeks intrastate passenger rail service, and Amtrak <br />
         		<a id="pl.2.2"></a><var>2.2</var>Service will contribute to a benefit for intrastate passenger rail service; NOW, THEREFORE,  <br />
         		<a id="pl.2.3"></a><var>2.3</var>BE IT RESOLVED by the Legislature of the State of Minnesota  that it go on record in <br />
         		<a id="pl.2.4"></a><var>2.4</var>support of Amtrak and proper funding for Amtrak in the federal budget for fiscal year 2008.<br />
         		<a id="pl.2.5"></a><var>2.5</var>BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Secretary of State of the  State of Minnesota is <br />
         		<a id="pl.2.6"></a><var>2.6</var>directed to prepare copies of this  memorial and transmit them to Minnesota's Senators and  <br />
         		<a id="pl.2.7"></a><var>2.7</var>Representatives in Congress to request their honorable support for full Amtrak funding in the <br />
         		<a id="pl.2.8"></a><var>2.8</var>appropriations of the federal budget for fiscal year 2008.<br />
         		
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