1.1A resolution1.2in support of Amtrak funding in the state of Minnesota.1.3WHEREAS, Amtrak serves over 25 million passengers every year, transporting people to 1.4500 stations in 46 states; and  1.5WHEREAS, for every one person who travels by air, five persons travel by rail; and  1.6WHEREAS, Amtrak provided the most effective mode of passenger transportation still 1.7operating after the World Trade Center tragedy of September 11, 2001; and  1.8WHEREAS, Amtrak constitutes the most effective, environmentally sound, and energy 1.9efficient method of transporting large numbers of persons over mid and long-range distances, 1.10with 189,017 Minnesota boardings and alightings in 2006; and  1.11WHEREAS, the federal government provides many billions of dollars in financial subsidies 1.12for highways, airports, and waterways; and  1.13WHEREAS, Amtrak seeks less than $2 billion in federal appropriation and spent over $42 1.14million for goods and services in Minnesota in fiscal year 2006; and  1.15WHEREAS, the presidential administration continues to propose a 40 percent underfunding 1.16of identified capital and operational needs for Amtrak service; and  1.17WHEREAS, demand for Amtrak service in Wisconsin, Illinois, Missouri, and Michigan has 1.18increased significantly with mid-range, cross-state service routes; and  1.19WHEREAS, the Midwest High Speed Passenger Rail Corridor will run on the current 1.20and active Amtrak Empire Builder route; and  2.1WHEREAS, the state of Minnesota seeks intrastate passenger rail service, and Amtrak 2.2Service will contribute to a benefit for intrastate passenger rail service; NOW, THEREFORE,  2.3BE IT RESOLVED by the Legislature of the State of Minnesota  that it go on record in 2.4support of Amtrak and proper funding for Amtrak in the federal budget for fiscal year 2008.2.5BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Secretary of State of the  State of Minnesota is 2.6directed to prepare copies of this  memorial and transmit them to Minnesota's Senators and  2.7Representatives in Congress to request their honorable support for full Amtrak funding in the 2.8appropriations of the federal budget for fiscal year 2008.