Happening Now
Rail Passengers Statement on Shooting in Tucson, AZ
October 4, 2021
Rail Passengers Association CEO Jim Mathews issued the following statement on the shooting incident on the Amtrak Sunset Limited in Tucson, AZ:
"My heart sank today as I saw yet another episode of senseless violence, this time not just at the station but onboard the train. Early reports suggest that at least one of the responding officers was killed. Rail Passengers offers its condolences to everyone affected, and urges the public to keep the crew and passengers in their thoughts. Although incidents like this are exceedingly rare, overall levels of violence on board trains have been rising through the summer, just as they have on airliners and buses. In fact, in July we understand that the number of incidents on board Amtrak trains was twice as high as in previous months. Even before this incident, our Association was working alongside railway labor to tighten protections for onboard crews and passengers. Today's tragic shooting shows that can't let up on those efforts."
"It is an honor to be recognized by the Rail Passengers Association for my efforts to strengthen and expand America’s passenger rail. Golden spikes were once used by railroads to mark the completion of important rail projects, so I am truly grateful to receive the Golden Spike Award as a way to mark the end of a career that I’ve spent fighting to invest in our country’s rail system. As Chair of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, it has been my priority to bolster funding for Amtrak, increase and expand routes, look to the future by supporting high-speed projects, and improve safety, culminating in $66 billion in new funding in the Bipartisan infrastructure Law."
Representative Peter DeFazio (OR-04)
March 30, 2022, on receiving the Association's Golden Spike Award for his years of dedication and commitment to passenger rail.
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