Washington, D.C. (June 16, 2009) – LIUNA General President Terry O’Sullivan made the following statement on the pending surface transportation bill and the need to not delay building America’s surface transportation system.

The working men and women who build America commend Chairman Oberstar and the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee for their important work to advance the debate on the surface transportation bill – a piece of legislation that will create jobs and get our economy back on track. We agree with Chairman Oberstar that the surface transportation bill should not be delayed.

In his Inaugural Address President Obama called for a new era of responsibility, meaning that we must boldly face America’s problems and solve them with vision and innovation.
For too long we have neglected the basics of our country. America’s transportation system is overcrowded, outdated and crumbling – a condition that hurts our economy, wastes time and money, diminishes quality of life and costs lives. A responsible country can no longer ignore this critical problem.

Tackling a problem of such magnitude will require many tough choices and lot of debate but it’s a problem we can no longer afford to ignore. Failing to address America’s transportation problem now will make it even worse when we do.

A commitment to build America provides the opportunity to create millions of jobs, lays the foundation for new economic prosperity and leaves behind a lasting legacy for generations to come. It’s time to build America, so America works.

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