New York Public Transit Association (NYPTA) Hosts Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton at Transit Industry Conference

The New York State Public Transit Industry Fall Conference featured Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton today at the Holiday Inn in Albany. In a room of more than 200 guests, Sen. Clinton addressed leaders and members of the New York Public Transit Association and the Amalgamated Transit Union, as well representatives of the New York State Department of Transportation, New York State elected officials, and manufacturers and suppliers to the state's transit industry. Sen. Clinton's address highlighted the final day of the three-day conference themed Transit Vision 2050: Creating the Competitive Advantage.

In introducing the Senator, New York Public Transit Association President and Capital District Transportation Authority Executive Director Raymond J. Melleady called the Senator a long-time champion of public transit and its labor force in New York State. "Senator Clinton, you have been our consistent voice in Washington, from leading the effort with the Saving Energy Through Public Transit Act of 2008 to your request of President Bush earlier this week to speed investments in infrastructure, including $410 million in roads, bridges and transit systems as well as ‘green collar jobs'."

In Sen. Clinton's request to President Bush, she wrote, "A federal investment in our infrastructure serves the dual purpose of modernizing our country's deteriorating roads, bridges and transit systems while stimulating the economy. Investing in these projects will create tens of thousands of good-paying jobs. More than 40 highway, transit and rail projects are shovel-ready in New York alone."

"Senator Clinton, as a long-time supporter of public transit, you have again demonstrated your strong commitment to public transportation and its workforce by urging Washington to provide the resources desperately needed to maintain transit service and affordable fares throughout New York State," Melleady said. "We are honored to have such an advocate in our corner who recognizes, as we do, that investing in transit will keep New York moving."

Transit and labor leaders met with Sen. Clinton prior to her address to share with her details about the public transit systems from Buffalo to New York City and the challenges they face individually and collectively in serving their communities as resources dwindle.

The Senator's address capped off three days of the annual New York State Public Transit Industry conference and the commemoration of NYPTA's 25^th anniversary. For the past quarter century, this not-for-profit association has been devoted to advancing and supporting public transit providers and transportation development in New York State.

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New York Public Transit Association, Inc.

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