HR0512 99TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0512 LRB099 12450 GRL 35780 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, Illinois is the crossroads of the American freight rail system, with 40 freight railroads operating on 7,000 miles of track and employing more than 13,000 people; and

WHEREAS, Nothing is more important to the nation's freight railroads than safety; the railroad industry's commitment to safety is reflected in safety statistics from the Federal Railroad Administration; from 1980 to 2013, the train accident rate fell by 79%, while the employee injury rate fell by 84% and the grade crossing collision rate fell by 81%; and

WHEREAS, Safety efforts of the railroad industry extend far beyond the industry's 180,000 employees and 140,000 mile rail network, reaching into the communities they serve; and

WHEREAS, As common carriers, railroads are required by law to transport hazardous materials, including crude oil; and

WHEREAS, Railroads work closely with state and local leaders and emergency responders across their network to ensure that communities understand how railroads operate and are prepared in the event of an accident; and

WHEREAS, Each year, thousands of emergency responders and railroad and shipper employees receive specialized training through individual railroad efforts and industry programs; railroads actively participate in state emergency planning committees and state agency conferences on emergency response; railroads also invest in equipment - including foam trailers - that are used to train emergency response personnel and respond to accidents involving hazardous materials; and

WHEREAS, Railroads provide interstate commerce services that are vital to the economic well-being of the State of Illinois and the nation; and

WHEREAS, Railroads recognize there are inherent risks to conducting their business and remain vigilant in their efforts to meet or exceed federal standards; and

WHEREAS, Railroads continue to devote enormous resources - approximately 18% of their gross revenues - into their infrastructure in an effort to maintain their physical property in a safe condition; in 2015, the railroads will devote $29 billion to infrastructure improvements; and

WHEREAS, Railroads continuously evaluate new and emerging technologies in an unwavering effort to continue to improve upon their safety record; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-NINTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we urge the railroad industry to continue its efforts to educate and inform public officials on its handling of hazardous materials, both in normal operating circumstances and in times of unanticipated incidents, and to maintain its great commitment to conducting its operations in as safe and effective of a manner as possible in its ongoing efforts to meet the needs of its customers as consistently and efficiently as practicable.