Harry Reid: “Many years ago, when I attended school in Searchlight, I walked to school. And when it was time for high school, I…”

“Many years ago, when I attended school in Searchlight, I walked to school. And when it was time for high school, I hitched a ride into a town forty miles away and had to stay with family during the week. There weren't many options back then. That was the transportation system in rural America: walk or hitchhike. Now, of course, we have school buses to get children to school. Unfortunately, rural school districts across America are strapped. They can't afford to buy newer, safer buses. And skyrocketing gas prices have only made the problem worse. As a result, many rural areas have no choice but to operate outdated, unsafe school buses for as long as they can pass inspection. Last year, I met with the school superintendents in my State. While each district identified their own, unique challenge, they all had an urgent need for school buses. I was astonished to learn that the school buses in some rural Nevada counties travel a combined million miles in a single school year. The superintendents asked for my help, and I want to help. And based on conversations with some of my colleagues on both sides of the aisle, I am pretty confident the need for newer and safer school buses is not unique to Nevada's rural school districts. I am introducing legislation today that will help rural districts transport children to school in a way that is safe, affordable, and environmentally sound.…”