BNSF News

Gregg Shaffer Attends Railroad Day on the Hill as GoRail Essay Winner

2010-03-04

More than 500 representatives from railroads, rail supply companies, rail advocacy groups and state and local officials met in Washington, D.C., for Railroad Day on the Hill.

BNSF attendees included Gregg Shaffer, general clerk, Topeka, Kan., who received an all-expense paid trip from GoRail as winner of the grassroots organization's essay-writing competition. Shaffer's winning essay described why freight railroads are important to our nation's economic recovery. He joined winners from other Class I railroads. Railroad Day on the Hill was held in late February to urge Congress to support policies favorable to railroads.

About 250 lawmakers also participated in meetings related to the event. Shaffer and other BNSF representatives met with members of Congress and urged them to support policies favorable to the rail industry. Key issues for this year's event were preserving balanced industry regulation, railroad tax credits and implementation of sensible rail safety legislation.

"Being around such a diverse representation of the rail industry was a great learning experience," Shaffer said. "And meeting lawmakers with other BNSF employees and industry representatives gave me a broader view of the issues."

Also attending the event were representatives from OneRail, a coalition of environmental, freight and passenger rail groups formed earlier this year to support public policies that recognize the importance of rail to national transportation, future economic growth and environmental well-being.

OneRail principles are based in large part on the findings of the National Surface Transportation Policy and Revenue Study Commission. Matt Rose, BNSF chairman, president and chief executive officer, who served on the commission, was an early supporter of the creation of the OneRail coalition.

Railroad Day on the Hill is organized by the Association of American Railroads, American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association, National Railroad Construction and Maintenance Association Inc., Railway Supply Institute, Railway Systems Suppliers Inc. and Railway Engineering-Maintenance Suppliers Association.

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