Tom Waring, the Wire
U.S. Rep. Brendan F. Boyle (D-13th dist.) expressed sympathy for those who were on Amtrak Northeast Regional Train 188 when it derailed last week in Philadelphia.
“My deepest condolences go out to those who died and the dozens who were injured and traumatized in this tragedy, and my gratitude goes out to the police, fire, and emergency medical technicians who rushed to their aid,” he said. “Nearly 250 people were on that train, and any one of us could have been among them. As we help the victims and their families recover, and to correct whatever what went wrong with Train 188, we must restore the public’s faith in Amtrak’s role as a vital transit provider in the Northeast Corridor.”
Boyle said people should never take for granted the bravery of the hundreds of emergency responders and police officers who navigated the mangled steel to usher the survivors to safety. He added that the vigilance of doctors and nurses who provided care at hospitals should also not be taken for granted.
“We should all take a moment to thank those who work at their own risk to help us recover from events like this,” he said.
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Boyle marked Infrastructure Week by calling on Republicans to protect good-paying jobs and avert the impending expiration of the Highway and Transit Trust Fund.
The lawmaker claims that, until Congress acts to reauthorize the Trust Fund, 660,000 jobs and 6,000 projects are at risk.
“It is unacceptable that Republicans are continuing to threaten good-paying jobs and needed construction projects not only in Pennsylvania, but across the entire country,” he said. “Hundreds of thousands of jobs for hard-working Americans hang in the balance, but Republicans are too busy serving the special interests to come up with a solution that meets the needs of our nation.”
The Highway and Transit Trust Fund expires on May 31.
“Pennsylvanians deserve bigger paychecks and better infrastructure, but once again, Republicans aren’t interested in either,” Boyle said. “It is time to restore long-term certainty to the Highway Trust Fund, create more good-paying jobs and build infrastructure worthy of the 21st century.”
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In other news, Boyle is backing the Fallen Heroes Flag Act, a bill sponsored by Florida Republican Rep. Rich Nugent, a former sheriff.
The bill provides for Capitol-flown flags in memory of firefighters police, and emergency response personnel that are killed in the line of duty.
Boyle believes that the gesture could bring some level of comfort to the families of those who have given the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty.
“This is one small way to express our condolences and gratitude for their service,” Boyle said.
