HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 17
(By Delegate Leach, Capito, Compton, Faircloth, Manchin,
Hubbard, Jenkins, Damron, Kominar, Angotti, L. White, Perdue,
Mahan, Johnson, Romine, Manuel, Ashley, Pino, Givens, Ennis
and Boggs)
Honoring Congressman Harley O. Staggers for his role in
preserving the rail industry in the United States.
Whereas, The Staggers Rail Act of 1980, authored by one of
West Virginia's favorite sons, Congressman Harley O. Staggers,
effectively addressed a national rail crisis where over one
fifth of our nation's railroads were bankrupt, costing the
American taxpayers two hundred fifty million dollars per year in
subsidies to keep the failing railroads moving; and
Whereas, Many long-term positive effects resulted from the
Staggers Rail Act of 1980, including:
A 56% reduction of rail rates in inflation adjusted terms;
A 68% reduction in train accidents since 1980;
A 67% reduction in personal injuries to rail workers since 1990;
A 116% increase in hourly wages for rail employees; and
A $200 billion investment by the railroads in capital improvements since 1980; and
Whereas, Tens of thousands of West Virginians are directly
dependent on a financially sound rail industry, including CSX
Transportation, Norfolk Southern, and Conrail employees,
retirees, and their dependents; and
Whereas, CSX Transportation and Norfolk Southern have made
significant capital investments in West Virginia; and
Whereas, The year two thousand will mark the twentieth
anniversary of this landmark legislation; therefore, be it
Resolved by the House of Delegates:
That Congressman Harley O. Staggers be hereby honored for
his role in the preservation of the United States rail industry;
and, be it
Further Resolved, That Harley O. Staggers be commended for
the many positive benefits of the Staggers Rail Act of 1980 and
the importance of maintaining the provisions it sets forth; and,
be it
Further Resolved, That the Clerk is hereby directed to
forward a copy of this resolution to Congressman Harley O.
Staggers.