|
APWA Urges
Infrastructure Boost
[Letter from APWA President]
October 30, 2001
The Honorable Thomas A. Daschle
509 Hart Senate office Building
Washington, DC 20510
The Honorable Trent Lott
487 Russell Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510
Dear Majority Leader Daschle and
Minority Leader Lott:
On behalf of the members of the
American Public Works Association (APWA), I wish to commend you
for your leadership in the wake of the events of September 11,
2001. As Congress considers measures to address the current
economic slow-down, I write to urge you to ensure that the
economic stimulus package under consideration in Congress include
investment in our nation's public infrastructure.
Investment in public infrastructure
- roads, bridges, mass transit, drinking water and waste water
systems, aviation, rail and energy - is a proven economic
stimulus. It creates a significant number of jobs and generates
immediate and sustained economic growth in our communities and
throughout the country. For every $1 billion invested in
infrastructure tens of thousands of jobs are generated. Moreover,
these investments yield significant near-term as well as long-term
benefits in the form of improved efficiencies, security, safety
and reliability.
State and local agencies have
indicated that, with the availability of federal funding, they
have priority projects which are ready for construction and
capable of delivering the needed stimulus immediately. While also
helping invigorate the economy, federal investment in public
infrastructure through a stimulus package is a suitable and
appropriate way to help close the funding shortfall that hinders
our ability to make needed improvements to modernize and repair
deteriorating and aging infrastructure. Not addressing the
shortfall comes at great cost to our economy, our safety and our
quality of life.
APWA represents more than 26,000
members dedicated to providing public works infrastructure and
services in our nation. Working in the public interest, APWA's
members design, build, operate and maintain the transportation,
water supply, sewage and refuse disposal systems, public buildings
and other structures and facilities essential to citizens.
We appreciate your consideration,
and we look forward to working with you as we address our nation's
economic and security needs.
Sincerely,
Richard L. Ridings, P.E. President
NOTICE: In accordance with Title 17
U.S.C., section 107, some material is provided without permission
from the copyright owner, only for purposes of criticism, comment,
scholarship and research under the "fair use" provisions
of federal copyright laws. These materials may not be distributed
further, except for "fair use," without permission of
the copyright owner.
|
