Bill Text: MS SC581 | 2016 | Regular Session | Enrolled
Bill Title: Welcome Amtrak officials to the Mississippi Gulf Coast on the occasion of the "Inspection Train Tour" on February 18, 2016.
Sponsorship: Slight Partisan Bill (Democrat 5-2)
Status: (Passed) 2016-03-01 - Enrolled Bill Signed [SC581 Detail]
Download: Mississippi-2016-SC581-Enrolled.html
MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2016 Regular Session
To: Rules
By: Senator(s) Wiggins, Barnett, Frazier, Jackson (11th), Jackson (32nd), Simmons (13th), Watson
Senate Concurrent Resolution 581
(As Adopted by Senate and House)
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION WELCOMING AMTRAK OFFICIALS TO THE MISSISSIPPI GULF COAST ON THE OCCASION OF THE "INSPECTION TRAIN TOUR" ON FEBRUARY 18, 2016, AND RECOGNIZING THE PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE OF RAIL TRAVEL IN MISSISSIPPI.
WHEREAS, Pascagoula, Mississippi, is hopeful of becoming a permanent stop should Amtrak resurrect passenger rail service along the Mississippi Gulf Coast. Officials with Amtrak and the Southern Rail Commission are evaluating the railway between New Orleans and Jacksonville, Florida. Amtrak President Joe Boardman and other Pascagoula officials will ride the rails to examine the CSX railroad infrastructure and economic opportunities along the Gulf Coast; and
WHEREAS, the "Inspection Train Tour" starts February 18, 2016, in New Orleans and will come through the Mississippi Gulf Coast and Mobile, Alabama. Pascagoula is the only stop scheduled in Jackson County, along with other Mississippi coast stops in Bay St. Louis, Gulfport and Biloxi. Pascagoula Mayor Jim Blevins intends to roll out the red carpet for Amtrak officials when the train stops at the city's historic Depot off Magnolia Avenue to discuss great economic development opportunity for Pascagoula; and
WHEREAS, passenger rail service along the Gulf Coast was discontinued shortly before Hurricane Katrina in August 2005. A new study by Amtrak, requested by the Southern Rail Commission, indicated that extending service from New Orleans to Orlando, Florida, would generate annual ridership of 153,900, while necessitating additional funding on infrastructure; and
WHEREAS, train travel is deeply rooted in American culture and it shows great promise to become a growing part of our country's transportation future. Train travel played an important role in the emergence of Blues as a major American art form and the development and migration of the sound from the Mississippi Delta north. On National Train Day May 10, 2016, at Chicago's Union Station, Big Bill and Larry "Mud" Morganfield, the sons of celebrated Blues Musician Muddy Waters, will be joined by legendary Mississippi Delta Blues Player Bobby Rush to perform train-themed Blues songs. This will be the last stop in a five-state tour aboard Amtrak, originating in Muddy Water's birthplace in Mississippi; and
WHEREAS, it is in the interest of the State of Mississippi to extend public awareness to the future of rail travel on the Mississippi Gulf Coast and throughout our state:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby welcome Amtrak officials to the Mississippi Gulf Coast on the occasion of the "Inspection Train Tour" on February 18, 2016, and recognize the past, present and future of rail travel in Mississippi.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be transmitted to Amtrak President Joe Boardman, the Governor, the Executive Director of the Mississippi Department of Transportation, the Director of the Mississippi Development Authority and to members of Mississippi's congressional delegation, and be made available to the Capitol Press Corps.
