HARRY HUGHES, Governor

3529

No. 8

(Senate Joint Resolution No. 11)

A Senate Joint Resolution concerning

Washington Metro Rail System - Federal Funding

FOR the purpose of expressing the General Assembly's strong
opposition to any reduction of federal funds for the
construction of the Washington Metro rail system; and urging
President Reagan and the Congress of the United States to
act vigorously to assure that the federal government
provides its full share of construction funds to complete
the entire 101 103 miles of the Metro rail system.

WHEREAS, The Washington Metro rail system, which serves the
nation's capital and the millions of people who live, work, and
visit there, should be a model system; and

WHEREAS, The completed portions of the Metro system have
promoted economic growth, access to employment, reduction of
traffic congestion, and a cleaner, healthier environment; and

WHEREAS, Failure to complete the entire Metro rail system
would assure the continuance of the disparity that exists in the
Washington metropolitan area regarding access to the workplace,
preventing many citizens from sharing in the economic growth and
prosperity that have accompanied the development of Metro rail in
other parts of the region; and

WHEREAS, The citizens of the Washington metropolitan area,
through their local governments, have contributed billions of
dollars for Metro rail construction based on the expectation that
a full 101 103-mile regional system would be completed; and

WHEREAS, The dream of an area-wide mass transit rail system
could never have begun to be realized without the strong and
consistent support of the citizens of the entire region,
including those who have yet to see the benefits of the system
reach their neighborhoods, and who continue to wait at the end of
the line; and

WHEREAS, Completion of the entire 101 103-mile system is
endangered by the federal government's threat to cut off all
funds for Metro rail construction; and

WHEREAS, Anything less than completion of the entire Metro
rail system would signify a serious breach of the commitment made
by the federal government to create a model transit system to
serve the entire Washington area and the nation; now, therefore,
be it

RESOLVED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF MARYLAND, That the
General Assembly strongly opposes any effort to reduce the