Passengers Honor Lipinski for Work on Safer Train Network

For Immediate Release (20-4)

Contact: Sean Jeans-Gail, Rail Passengers Association (202-408-8362; [email protected])

Rail Passengers Honors Lipinski for Work on Building a Safer, Better Train Network

Golden Spike Award Recognizes Illinois Congressman’s 15 Years of Dedication to Ensuring Safe Relationship Between Railroads and the Communities They Operate In

Washington, D.C. -- The Rail Passengers Association is honoring Congressman Dan Lipinski of Illinois with its Golden Spike Award for his 15 years of work in Congress for a safer passenger rail network, more reliable commuter rail and transit service, and better relationships between railroads and the communities they serve.

Chairman Lipinski represents Illinois’ 3rd, the rail hub of North America with the most rail crossings of any congressional district in the U.S. He has spent 12 years working on the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure to make sure railroads operate safely, effectively and with respect towards the communities they operate in. During that time he introduced legislation to ensure the safe transportation of freight by rail, support and create new rail manufacturing jobs for American workers, and secured hundreds of millions of dollars in investment towards the CREATE program, a public-private partnership that is easing congestion on the roads and rails in northeastern Illinois.

In recognition of his work and expertise, Lipinski was selected as chairman of the House Transportation Committee’s Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines and Hazardous Materials in 2019, where he will play a leading role in drafting the next generation of rail policy.

“Thank you to Jim Mathews and the Rail Passengers Association for presenting me with this prestigious award,” said Rep. Lipinski. “As Chair of the Railroad Subcommittee and a frequent rail commuter, I am always looking at ways to work with the railroads and rail advocates to improve the passenger experience. We have an important year ahead with crafting a rail title in the surface transportation reauthorization, and I look forward to leading initiatives that expand passenger rail service and make it more reliable.”

“Chairman Lipinski has earned his railroad stripes honestly -- by representing passengers, railroad workers, and trackside communities for over 15 years,” said Jim Mathews, President and CEO of the Rail Passengers Association. “We look forward to working with him on the current rail reauthorization and finally building a passenger rail network that all Americans can be proud of.”

The Rail Passengers Association will honor Chairman Lipinski on March 31st in Washington, D.C. during its annual rail passengers advocacy day on Capitol Hill.

Past winners of the Golden Spike Award include Rep. Peter DeFazio, Sen Dick Durbin, Sen. Frank Lautenberg, and Rep. Jim Oberstar.

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About the Rail Passengers Association

The Rail Passengers Association is the oldest and largest national organization serving as a voice for the more than 40 million rail passengers in the U.S. Our mission is to improve and expand conventional intercity and regional passenger train services, support higher speed rail initiatives, increase connectivity among all forms of transportation and ensure safety for our country's trains and passengers. All of this makes communities safer, more accessible and more productive, improving the lives of everyone who lives, works and plays in towns all across America.