NARP Honors Senators Thune and Wicker for Support of Passenger Rail

For Immediate Release (#16-04)

Contact:

Robert Brady – (202) 289-4001

Senators to Receive Golden Spike Award at Congressional Reception

Who:

U.S. Senator John Thune; South Dakota

U.S. Senator Roger Wicker; Mississippi

Jim Mathews; President National Association of Railroad Passengers

What:

Jim Mathews, President of NARP, a national advocacy group for rail passengers, will present Senators Thune and Wicker with the Golden Spike Award, given in recognition of individuals who have done the most to promote and develop a national rail network in the United States. NARP is honoring Senators Thune and Wicker for their leadership in passing the bipartisan FAST Act, the first surface transportation authorization to include passenger rail. The FAST Act has also provided a way forward towards restoration of passenger rail along the Gulf Coast, which has been without service since Hurricane Katrina in 2005. Local leaders from throughout the Gulf Coast will be in attendance to thank the Senators for their work.

The award will be presented during NARP’s Congressional Reception, which follows NARP’s “Day on the Hill” and includes NARP members and Council Representatives meeting with elected officials to share NARP’s vision for rail in the U.S.

Both senators, as well as Mathews, will be available to speak with media following the presentation of the award.

Where:

Russell Senate Office Building – Room 485

When:

Tuesday, April 12, 2016

5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.

About the National Association of Railroad Passengers

NARP is the only national organization speaking for the nearly 40 million users of passenger trains and rail transit. We have worked since 1967 to expand the quality and quantity of passenger rail in the U.S. Our mission is to work towards a modern, customer-focused national passenger train network that provides a travel choice Americans want. Our work is supported by more than 28,000 individual members nationwide.

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