REMARKS AS
PREPARED FOR DELIVERY
U.S. SECRETARY OF TRANSPORTATION RODNEY E. SLATER
THE WASHINGTON METROPOLITAN AREA TRANSIT AUTHORITY
PRESS CONFERENCE
FEBRUARY 3, 2000
WASHINGTON, D.C.
President Clinton and Vice President Gore are committed to being good neighbors to the District of Columbia. Jack Lew’s announcement today, on behalf of this Administration, ensures that our nation’s capitol has the needed tools to reach even higher heights and dream even bigger dreams in this new century and new millennium.
I am delighted to have members of the Regional Congressional Delegation with us today. Senator Robb, Senator Sarbanes and Delegate Norton, welcome and thank you for the leadership you have shown in bringing increased transportation resources to Virginia, Maryland and the District of Columbia. These much needed resources help fund key projects like the Woodrow Wilson Bridge and many others.
Last Thursday, our President pronounced the state of our union to be the strongest it has ever been. And many would agree that the state of our nation’s capitol is also -- the strongest it has ever been. Today, under Mayor Williams’ effective leadership, much is going right with the District of Columbia.
And we are gathered here this morning to help stay that course.
Today’s ceremony is about government working smarter, better and innovatively for the people of this region. And it is about taking a common sense approach to solving our transportation problems.
I am pleased to announce the closing on a $600 million loan guarantee between the U.S. Department of Transportation, the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority, and Lehman Commercial Paper, Inc.
This is the first transportation project to receive financial assistance through the Transportation Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act, called TIFIA.
TIFIA is a new -- 21st century -- way of doing business. This innovative financing method expands the base of financial capital for major national and regional transportation projects. By leveraging public and private investments, backed by Federal guarantees, state and local governments can better meet the ever-growing transportation needs of their regions.
For WMATA this means acceleration of its $2.3 billion Capital Improvement Program. With the expected completion of the Green Line in 2001, WMATA is ensuring that the entire system can safely and efficiently carry passengers to work, to school, to an improved quality of life.
For the District of Columbia -- and for the entire Washington Metropolitan Region -- it means an upgraded and modernized system, bringing easier access, less congestion, and improved mobility to its citizens.
We would not be here today, were it not for the leadership of Senator Patrick Moynihan and the late Senator John Chafee. Their commitment to the American people ensured that TIFIA was included in the landmark Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century. They deserve much of the credit for the significant projects -- including today’s -- that will be advanced over the next five years.
Clearly, by working together with vision and vigilance, we are developing innovative solutions for transportation issues within our Region.
To continue this region’s quality of life and to sustain its healthy, growing economy, workable regional transportation solutions are vital.
And I do not believe we could have come this far had it not been for a regional approach, a team effort.
More importantly, and I will close on this, is that we all remember why we are building this infrastructure: it is for people.
I have said many times that transportation is about so much more than concrete asphalt and steel. It is about providing opportunity for all. Our real product is not highways, or airplanes, or cars. Our real product is getting people to school, to work, to play -- to connect people to all the opportunities available to them.
So let this be the challenge: to do all we can to give all Americans the chance to live their dreams -- to reach even higher heights in this new century and new millennium, for I know our best is yet to come.
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