Bud Shuster: “The ceremonial golden spike hammered at Promontory Summit, Utah, on May 10, 1869, marked the completion of the…”

“The ceremonial golden spike hammered at Promontory Summit, Utah, on May 10, 1869, marked the completion of the transcontinental railroad, one of the greatest engineering masterpieces and, I might add, was spearheaded by the Republican President, Abraham Lincoln. It also marked the birth of what would become the greatest rail network in the world. One hundred forty-one years later, we are still reaping the benefits of our ancestors' visions. The United States now has over 140,000 miles of railroads making up the transportation backbone of the Nation. Our railroads are environmentally friendly, producing significantly less pollution than other modes of transportation. A train can haul one ton of freight 436 miles on one gallon of diesel fuel, and it is three times cleaner than a truck. Trains also help to alleviate the congestion of our crowded highways across America. One train can actually take 280 trucks off the road. Railroads have also enjoyed a remarkable resurgence since the bankruptcies, disinvestment, and decay of the 1970s. The rail deregulation law of 1980, the Staggers Act, has been an unparalleled success. We must take great care to protect the regulatory environment that has allowed railroads to thrive and resist any effort that would undo all the progress this industry has made.”