Illinois senate candidate endorses high speed rail

NEWS FROM:
ANDY MARTIN
“He works for
the People of Illinois”
Republican for U. S. Senator
Suite 4406
30 E. Huron Street
Chicago, IL 60611-4723
(312) 440-4124

ATTENTION: ASSIGNMENT/DAYBOOK EDITORS

NOTICE OF [RESCHEDULED] NEWS CONFERENCE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE DECEMBER 19

U.S. SENATE CANDIDATE ANDY MARTIN UNVEILS “ONE ILLINOIS” RAIL PLAN TO BRING HIGH-SPEED PASSENGER RAIL SERVICE TO ROCKFORD, ROCK RIVER VALLEY, DUBUQUE

“BUILD IT AND THEY WILL COME,” SAYS MARTIN.

ANDY SAYS CURRENT DURBIN/MANZULLO PROPOSALS ARE “A JOKE”

“THE ISSUE IS ON THE CAMPAIGN AGENDA! ALL ABOARD”

ENHANCED NETWORK WOULD STRETCH FROM INDIANAPOLIS TO THE QUAD CITIES, FROM MILWAUKEE TO ST. LOUIS AND CARBONDALE

(ROCKFORD, IL) (December 20, 2007) U. S. Senate candidate Andy Martin will hold a news conference in Rockford Thursday, December 20th to announce his plans for new high-speed dedicated rail passenger service linking Rockford to Chicago and Chicago airports.

“The Rock River Valley sits on the periphery of one of the world’s great cities, but the two areas are isolated. The Rock River Valley has a declining economic base,” says Martin. “We need to connect Rockford and Winnebago/Stephenson County with the city, with airports, and with the economic activity of the Chicago area. We can and we will create new economic prosperity, new opportunity and new hope.

“The rest of the world has developed high-speed rail. Why not Illinois? Rockford to Chicago in 30 minutes, which could be done with existing technology. Would it make a difference?

“I am very proud to once again be of service to the People of Illinois by proposing the only comprehensive, regional program to unite our great state with ‘One Illinois,’” Martin will state. “We need to build dedicated rail high-speed passenger service if Illinois’ economy is to recover and prosper. The issue is on the campaign agenda! As long as I am a candidate I will fight for Midwest high-speed rail service.

“Today families are torn apart as young graduates move on to cities to find jobs and opportunities elsewhere. Local economies wither. Hope is lost, futures diminished.

“The State of Illinois and Amtrak are ‘studying’ new rail service but they are not studying a dedicated rail high-speed network. More of the same will not do. We need a 21st century system for a 21st century economy. Amazingly, Rockford is still not on anyone’s high-speed rail agenda for action. Static thinking has created a static situation. It’s time for change. I represent dynamic, transformational change.

“The ‘Toonerville Trolley’ proposals which are being ‘studied’ to death are a joke. We need a bold agenda: ‘Build it and They Will Come.’

“For too long we have thought of Illinois as a series of principalities and powers, the City, the suburbs and ‘Downstate.’ If this state is going to regain its national significance and economic power, we must begin to think as ‘One Illinois.’

“Unlike most candidates, that blow hot air, or yell ‘liberal’ or ‘conservative’ and do little else, I can point to ‘concrete’ results: The Chicago Tribune recognized in 1978 my successful fight to upgrade US 51 to interstate standards. I succeeded where others had failed. Today Interstate 39 is testimony to my ability to get things done.

“We need to invest in Rockford’s future and our families’ futures. ‘One Illinois’ is a blueprint that will guide me as a U. S. Senator in Washington. All Aboard!”

ROCKFORD NEWS CONFERENCE DETAILS:

CAMPAIGN
TRAVEL
NOTES:    The candidate will be traveling by car from Glenview, and should be in the area by 1:00 P.M. We should be            set up and “ready to roll” before 2:00 P.M.

WHO:      U. S. Senate candidate Andy Martin

WHERE:    Main entrance, Winnebago County Courthouse
400 W. State Street (look for easel outside)
Rockford

WHEN:     Thursday, December 20, 2007 2:00 P.M.

WHAT:     Andy Martin vows to extend high-speed dedicated rail passenger service to Rockford, Winnebago and Stephenson Counties, the Rock River Valley and Iowa

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© Copyright by Andy Martin 2007. Chicago-based Martin holds a Juris Doctor degree from the University of Illinois College of Law. He is Executive Editor of ContrarianCommentary.com.

Web site: AndyforUSSenator.com; Toll-free (866) 706-2639

Comments and columns also posted at AndyforUSSenator.blogspot.com, AndyforUSSenator.wordpress.com, ContrarianCommentary.com, ContrarianCommentary.blogspot.com; contrariancommentary.wordpress.com.

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Filed under: Passenger Rail Politics, United States High Speed Rail