Byron Dorgan: “I rise to support the Trails and Rails Program, a national partnership between Amtrak and the National Park Service.…”

“I rise to support the Trails and Rails Program, a national partnership between Amtrak and the National Park Service. This program provides on-board educational programs to rail travelers. It has played a valuable role in educating Americans about the historic landmark sites in this country. This is an excellent outreach program that allows the National Park Service to reach non-traditional visitors and introduce them to our national parks, trails and historic sites. I am particularly excited about this program as we begin to celebrate the bicentennial of the Lewis and Clark expedition. Last May, the famous footsteps of the Lewis and Clark along the trail in North Dakota and Montana came alive as their historic journey was retraced by guests aboard Amtrak's Empire Builder train. This program has been laying the foundation for the National Lewis and Clark Bicentennial Commemoration, which will officially begin in 2003. Train passengers have already been able to explore historic areas along the Lewis and Clark trail such as the Union Trading Post National Historic Site in Williston, ND. It is my hope that the National Park Service could continue its partnership so that Amtrak passengers can explore other historic sites in the Lewis and Clark expedition.”