Mr. CLYBURN. Mr. Chairman, if I may, I want to say to Bob Livingston how much I have enjoyed his guidance. We do share a little bit in common as chief of staff, having gotten his best training in South Carolina. But I would say, Mr. Chairman, I would like to see you back here, but I would rather it be as a Republican in the Democratic administration. [Laughter.]

Mr. ROGERS. Some of us cannot pass up the opportunity to say thank you to Bob Livingston for his service to his country, and of course to the great State of Louisiana.

You have detailed some of the accomplishments of Bob Livingston in the City of New Orleans. But some of us could testify about what he has done for the balance of the State, and for the country for that matter. But he has been a great spokesman for your State. I don't know any better spokesman that could be had, because he has been a workhorse in helping Louisianians achieve their ambitions.

And as you have testified to some of the work that he has helped you do in the city, of course there are hundreds, literally thousands I guess of projects and things that he has done in the balance of the State. And we will certainly miss his hard work up here on his behalf.

But as our chairman as said, I think we will see this ship sail again. Thank you, Bob.

Mr. WOLF. Mr. Weller and Mr. Gutierrez, please.

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 1999.

METRA

WITNESS

HON. JERRY WELLER, A REPRESENTATIVE IN CONGRESS FROM THE STATE OF ILLINOIS

Mr. WELLER. Well, thank you, Mr. Chairman, and I appreciate very much the opportunity to testify before you, and Mr. Sabo, and members of the Transportation Appropriations Committee on behalf of the people in the Chicago area, and the millions of those served by mass transit, particularly Metra.

Before I testify I would like to acknowledge an old friend, and a classmate, someone I was elected with, and we both had the privilege when we were elected, of representing part of the great city of Chicago, and that's Michael Patrick Flanagan, former member of the House, who has been called upon by the great mayor of Chicago, Richard Daley, to represent the CTA, the Chicago Transit Authority, and he is doing a great job.

Mr. WOLF. I thought he was going to be a judge? [Laughter.]
Mr. WELLER. He would make a great judge.

Mr. WOLF. I will be impressed when they appoint him as a judge. [Laughter.]

Mr. WELLER. I think he would make a great judge, Mr. Chair

man.

If I may, I would like to submit my full testimony for the record, 'I would like to summarize if I could, Mr. Chairman.

etra of course serves 7 and a half million residents of the Chimetropolitan area. Of course, Metra is the second largest com

muter rail system in the Nation. I am here today to submit a request on behalf of Metra for $52,380,000 for this coming fiscal year, for the final design work, and to begin construction on important regional transportation extensions in the Chicago metropolitan

area.

I think as we all recognize, mass transit contributes to improving the environment, reducing traffic congestion, and is an important investment as we move into the 21st century.

The funding that I am requesting today, Mr. Chairman and members of the subcommittee, will serve three extensions; serve an extension which would move through the southwest suburbs and reaching out into the district that I had the privilege of representing; the north central service upgrade which would service the northwest suburbs represented by a member of your committee, Representative Porter; and the extension of the Union Pacific Westline Expansion, which reaches into the Speaker of the House's district, Mr. Hastert's district.

In the district that I represent, the southwest service extension will of course be upgraded and expanded by expanding tracks 11 miles to the village of Manhattan in Will County, southwest of Joliet. This expansion to Manhattan is expected to more than double the current ridership of metro by the Year 2010 to 16,000, almost 17,000 boardings.

Additionally, Southwest Service Extension will allow for future of expansion of Metra to the Joliet arsenal, a former military facility, which I believe is one of the Congress' most important accomplishments, serving the people of Illinois, where we redeveloped the 24,000-acre Joliet arsenal for conservation, creating a 19,000-acre tall grass-largest conservation area of its kind; the second largest national cemetery, the Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery; and 3,000 acres for industrial development expected to employ 15,000 people, replacing the job loss at Joliet arsenal.

The bottom line is, of course, this extension will help to revitalize this area and continue Congress' commitment to peacetime conversion of military facilities.

I would note that this subcommittee in the past couple years has invested $5 million in this project already, so I am asking you to continue your investment in this effort to improve mass transit services for the people of Chicago metropolitan region.

Mr. Chairman, I ask that this subcommittee give full consideration. We ask for your help in moving forward on this important project for the Chicago region. So thank you, and I would be happy to answer any questions, Mr. Chairman.

Mr. WOLF. Thank you Mr. Weller. Mr. Gutierrez.

Viera the sation 1 second largest commuter tal system which serves the Chicago

seeking $52,380,000 for fiscal year 2000 to be used for final design work and v Begin Construction of the three components of an important reponas transportation project. Ine components A 'these projects will benefit all 14 Congressiona. Districts a northeastern

In more velg reduce congestion, contribute to cleaner air, and provide transportation alternatives
In the renders of the entire region.

The three components of this project are spread throughout northeastern Illinois in areas that have experienced significant increases in population and development and are projected to continue to grow well into the 21st century. In fact, population studies for the Chicago area indicate that the region's population will grow by 25%, and employment by 37% by 2020.

PRINTED ON RECYCLED PAPER

I am asking for funding for the these projects which include: (1) the South West Service Extension, (2) the North Central Service Upgrade, and (3) the Union Pacific West Line Expansion. In my district, the South West Service will be upgraded and expanded by extending tracks eleven miles to Manhattan in Will County, rehabilitating bridges, expanding parking at existing stations, double-tracking from Palos Park to 143rd Street and shifting trains to the LaSalle Street Station. According to Metra's own estimations, the upgrades and extension to Manhattan would result in more than doubling the current ridership to 16,900 boardings by the year 2010. This clearly shows the need for these improvements.

Additionally, the SouthWest Service Extension would allow for future expansion of Metra to the Joliet Arsenal, one of my most important accomplishments since my election to Congress. As a result of legislation which I passed in 1995, and the President signed into law on February 10, 1996, the former Joliet Arsenal is undergoing some major changes. This legislation served to convert the Arsenal to peace-time productive uses. The Forest Service has already taken possession of 15,000 acres for the Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie, and the Department of Veterans Affairs is beginning construction on the new 982 acre Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery. There are also two tracts of land set aside to be used as industrial parks.

Although no funds are requested at this time, the South West Service Extension opens the door for future Metra expansion to the Joliet Arsenal. Extending Metra to the Arsenal would serve the thousands of visitors who are expected to visit the Midewin Prairie and the Abraham