Bob Kerrey: “I would like to commend my Democrat and Republican colleagues for their hard work in creating a transportation bill that…”

“I would like to commend my Democrat and Republican colleagues for their hard work in creating a transportation bill that will reduce traffic congestion, make our roads safer, and protect the U.S. environment. ISTEA, the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act, is one of the most important items on the legislative agenda of the 105th Congress. The American people deserve nothing less than a world-class transportation system that will facilitate economic growth and improve transportation safety. This bill achieves that goal in a fair manner and guarantees that America's transportation infrastructure will be vital well into the next century. ISTEA is an investment in people and in communities. The Nation's transportation systems move $6 trillion worth of goods every year. Behind every one of the products that makes up that $6 trillion stands a hard-working person pursuing the American dream. ISTEA will create jobs and add to the productive capacity of our workers and the economy by enabling businesses to market their products quickly and efficiently. The American people have challenged us to provide infrastructure that can meet the transportation needs of one of the strongest economies of the world. With this bill, we are meeting their challenge by providing them the sources necessary to create and maintain the transportation infrastructure that will keep America strong.”