Congressman Bob Filner's Forum
STATEMENT OF CONGRESSMAN BOB FILNER
before the
WOMEN'S TRANSPORTATION CHAPTER PROGRAM
San Diego, California
November 12, 1998
"TEA FOR 21?"

Thank you for inviting me to join you for "tea" today.

It is always good to be with groups that keep alive the very refined tradition of afternoon tea--especially when tea is spelled "Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century".

As you know, this cup of "TEA" that Congress served up is more than just a transportation bill.

It's a jobs bill and will create tens of thousands of jobs over a seven year period.

It's a public assistance tool and will help people transition from welfare to work.

It's an economic jump starter and will invest more than $200 billion into the national economy.

It's an instrument that will help protect our environment.

And yes, it's a highway bill that will build and repair America's roads, bridges, trails, highways, railroads and transit systems.

I am here today to read the TEA-21 leaves and tell you what TEA means for San Diego.

It means important funding for State Route 905 to connect the Otay Mesa border crossing to the interstate system. It means we can build an access road to the Olympic Training Center in Chula Vista. It means we can extend the San Diego Trolley through Mission Valley and up the Mid-Coast. It means numerous roads and highways throughout the county will be completed.

But what is most significant about TEA-21 is that it helps San Diego prepare for the global economy of the 21st Century. How do TEA and highway spending bring our community into the new millennium?

TEA-21 will take San Diego into the 21st Century aboard the re-opened San Diego & Arizona Eastern Railroad--or what we call the "Jobs Train". I worked with Congressional leaders to ensure that this legislation included several important programs to re-establish this critical economic tool for our community. These items include:

  • a $700 Border Infrastructure fund to relieve congestion and ease the flow of trade at our nation's
    border crossings.
  • a $10 million grant to help build an intermodal yard for the train.
  • a federally guaranteed loan guarantee program that allows local private groups rather than the
    federal government to provide the "subsidy" or seed money.
  • a grant program for smaller railroads like the SD&AE.

    With a direct rail line to the east, commercial activity to our port is certain to increase. I believe a revitalized port has the potential to transform the entire economy of our region. Our geographic location allows us an opportunity to take advantage of the growing markets throughout the Pacific Rim and diversify the economy of the nation's sixth largest city.

    TEA-21 will transform the little engine that "could" into the little engine that "will". And it will lead San Diego into the 21st Century with a stronger and more diverse economy.

    I appreciate your commitment to our transportation infrastructure and I ask that you lend your support to the completion of this critical project.

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