H4028 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE June 26, 2002 H. RES. 455 marks and include extraneous material County. Shutting down Metrolink serv- Whereas for nearly 50 years, John Francis on H. Res. 445, just adopted, and on ice will not only impact ridership, ‘‘Jack’’ Buck was known as the ‘‘Voice of the H.R. 5018, passed earlier today. 34,000 riders a day, but contribute to in- St. Louis Cardinals’’ to generations of base- The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there creased congestion on the region’s ball fans, one of the most respected sports objection to the request of the gen- highways. broadcasters in the industry, and a beloved tleman from Oklahoma? In my district, Amtrak serves Santa institution to all St. Louis Cardinals fans; There was no objection. Barbara, Goleta, Lompoc, Guadeloupe, Whereas Jack Buck’s distinctive voice and San Luis Obispo and Paso Robles. his signature exclamation ‘‘That’s a winner’’ f following each Cardinals victory were famil- These communities rely on Amtrak as iar to baseball fans across the ; b 1800 a very important, vital transportation link. Whereas Jack Buck was born in Holyoke, SPECIAL ORDERS Massachusetts, in 1924 and was a decorated At a time when more and more com- veteran of World War II; The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. munities are looking to rail passenger Whereas Jack Buck began his broadcasting KERNS). Under the Speaker’s an- service to increase transportation op- career in 1948 while attending State nounced policy of January 3, 2001, and tions, create economic development University, where he was the play-by-play under a previous order of the House, and reduce congestion, we must avoid announcer for football, basketball, and base- the following Members will be recog- an unnecessary disruption of service ball; nized for 5 minutes each. that America depends on. Whereas in 1954, Jack Buck was hired by the St. Louis Cardinals, joined f Mr. Speaker, there are three things Congress and the administration can in the booth at Sportsman’s Park, and began CONCERNS OVER POSSIBLE his 48 years of broadcasting Cardinals base- do. First, we must support an appro- ball on KMOX radio; SHUTDOWN OF AMTRAK priation of $200 million for Amtrak in Whereas in 1970, Jack Buck was made the The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a the supplemental appropriations bill lead play-by-play announcer for the St. previous order of the House, the gentle- for fiscal year 2002. A number of my Louis Cardinals and he brought baseball to woman from California (Mrs. CAPPS) is colleagues and I sent a letter to the life for millions of fans throughout the Mid- recognized for 5 minutes. conferees urging them to do so yester- west; day. I urge the administration to join Whereas Jack Buck covered some of the Mrs. CAPPS. Mr. Speaker, I rise greatest moments in baseball history, in- today to express my strong concerns in this effort. cluding ’s record-setting 118th sto- over the possible shutdown of Amtrak. Second, we must substantially in- len base, ’s incredible 1968 season, Amtrak’s new president has said that crease funding for Amtrak above cur- and Mark McGwire’s record-breaking 70th Amtrak needs a $200 million loan guar- rent levels. As my colleagues know, the home run in 1998; antee by June 30 or the company will President has requested in his budget Whereas in 1960, Jack Buck was the play- have to begin a shutdown of all serv- only half of what Amtrak says it needs by-play announcer for the first televised ices. This would have a serious impact to survive. If we do not address this League game and worked shortfall, the railroad has publicly AFL broadcasts for three years; on commuters and travelers across this country, and I speak for those who stated that it may be forced to elimi- Whereas Jack Buck was the announcer for nate the entire long distance train net- one of professional football’s most famous would be strongly affected in Cali- games, the 1967 NFL Championship game, fornia. For that reason, Congress and work. Third, we must adopt a long-term dubbed the ‘‘Ice Bowl’’, between the Green the administration must avert a shut- strategy to reform and to improve Am- Bay Packers and the ; down. Whereas Jack Buck was the radio voice of trak. We cannot allow Amtrak to go bank- We need to address the real problem from 1978 to 1996; rupt. Amtrak is a critical component Whereas Jack Buck was the lead an- with passenger rail travel in this coun- nouncer for 8 , 17 Super Bowls, of our national transportation net- try: lack of funding, new missions and numerous baseball All-Star and National work, providing safe, efficient and af- undercapitalization. As we begin a new League playoff games, and other major fordable transportation for millions of era, our Nation needs a viable pas- sporting events, including professional bowl- Americans each year. Amtrak serves senger rail system to supplement our ing; over 500 cities and communities across network of highways and airports. It is Whereas Jack Buck has been inducted into this country, many of which rely on 11 different Halls of Fame, including the time we recognize such a system re- trains as a crucial transportation op- quires more financial support. Baseball Hall of Fame (1987), the Pro Foot- tion. ball Hall of Fame (1996), the American The Department of Transportation’s Sportscasters Association Hall of Fame Since 1996, ridership on Amtrak Inspector General has stated that Am- (1990), the (1995), and the trains has increased by 19 percent. Last trak has never received sufficient fund- St. Louis Walk of Fame (1991), and has been year, Amtrak had 23 million riders. In- ing to invest in capital projects that the recipient of numerous lifetime achieve- cluding commuter services, Amtrak’s would create opportunities for greater ment broadcasting awards; total ridership exceeds 60 million pas- efficiency and revenue production. Yet, Whereas for more than 30 years Jack Buck sengers a year. despite the inadequate support, Am- was the campaign chairman for the St. Louis Amtrak also plays a significant role trak has been able to increase ridership chapter of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, in my State. California hosts three of for which he helped raise more than and revenue. I commend Amtrak for $30,000,000 for research to find a cure for the the top six most heavily traveled serv- doing so much with so little. disease; and ices in the country. The Pacific In conclusion, I would like to urge Whereas on June 18, 2002, Jack Buck passed Surfliner, which serves my congres- the administration to take action to away after a long and distinguished career in sional district in southern and central prevent a shutdown of Amtrak. Imme- broadcasting in which he touched the lives of California, carries more than 11⁄2 mil- diate Federal investment in our na- millions of sports fans across the United lion passengers annually. The Surfliner tional passenger rail system is vital. If States: Now, therefore, be it is California’s most highly developed we are unable to avoid a shutdown, Resolved, That the House of Representa- service, and it is second only to Am- thousands of Amtrak workers could tives honors the life of John Francis ‘‘Jack’’ trak’s northeast corridor in ridership. lose their jobs, and millions of pas- Buck. It connects two of the most congested sengers face the loss of vital train serv- The resolution was agreed to. regions in the country, Los Angeles ice in communities nationwide. A motion to reconsider was laid on and San Diego. Maintaining mobility Mr. Speaker, I am hopeful that we the table. in this busy economic corridor is essen- can make a commitment to provide f tial. stable and adequate funding for the na- In addition, if funds are not provided tional Amtrak passenger rail network. GENERAL LEAVE to Amtrak, regional contract partners, f Mr. SULLIVAN. Mr. Speaker, I ask like commuter rail system Metrolink, The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a unanimous consent that all Members are at risk. Metrolink contracts with previous order of the House, the gen- may have 5 legislative days within Amtrak to provide service throughout tleman from Kansas (Mr. MORAN) is which to revise and extend their re- southern California, including Ventura recognized for 5 minutes.

VerDate 11-MAY-2000 02:18 Jun 27, 2002 Jkt 099060 PO 00000 Frm 00098 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A26JN7.058 pfrm12 PsN: H26PT1