IOWA ASSOCIATION OF RAILROAD PASSENGERS
3349 Southgate Court Southwest #108
Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52404-5424
319-362-6824 Voice, 319-362-7734 Fax or (Wulff Home 515-276-8888)
www.simpson.edu/~iarp henrywulff@aol.com
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 04/16/02
STATE RAIL PASSENGER GROUP PLANS RALLY FOR RAIL TOUR TO SUPPORT AMTRAK SERVICE
(Urbandale, Iowa)--The Iowa Association of Railroad Passengers is
sponsoring a series of meetings across Iowa during the week of April 29th
through May 2nd. Association President Henry C. Wulff says the meetings
will be held in every Iowa community that has an Amtrak stop (April 29th,
Creston; April 30th, Osceola: May 1st, Ottumwa;
May 2nd, Mount Pleasant and Burlington; May 3rd, Fort Madison.)
Wulff says the meetings are to encourage public support to continue Amtrak's
long- distance trains, especially the two trains that pass through Iowa,
the California Zephyr and the Southwest Chief.
"Members of Congress and President Bush must take action if passenger rail
service is to continue in Iowa. These meetings will encourage Iowans to
contact their elected officials about the importance of continuing this
valuable Amtrak service," said Wulff.
At each meeting, speakers will talk about the importance of Amtrak to their
community and to Iowa. Local speakers include mayors and county
supervisors. The Governor and Members of Congress have been invited to
participate, either personally, by representative, or by videotape. Wulff
will present ways that citizens can contact their elected officials to urge
their support for Amtrak's service.
A special feature at the Ottumwa meeting on May 1st will be the celebration
of Amtrak's 31st birthday. The Iowa Association of Railroad Passengers
will provide appropriate refreshments. Featured speaker at this meeting
will be Rhea Huddleston, Wapello County Supervisor, who personally
contacted her counterparts throughout the country requesting that their
respective Boards pass a resolution supporting long-distance trains.
John Hey, Policy Analyst of the Iowa Department of Transportation, will
share his thoughts at the Creston and Ottumwa meetings.
The Iowa Association of Railroad Passengers will tell attendees how to
contact their elected officials, as well as provide sample letters and
resolutions. The Iowa Association of Railroad Passengers is a statewide,
nonprofit citizens' organization which supports rail passenger service both
commercial and tourist service. IARP supports a solid rail infrastructure,
quality freight service by rail and intermodal. The group was formed in
1981 to strengthen the voice of the rail user in Iowa.
The Iowa Association of Railroad Passengers is affiliated with the National
Association of Railroad Passengers in Washington, D.C. Membership
information is available by writing to the Iowa Association of Railroad
Passengers, 3349 Southgate Court, SW, Suite #108, Cedar Rapids, Iowa
52404-5424 or by calling (319) 362-6824, or at the group's website at
www.simpson.edu/~iarp.
RALLY FOR RAIL
Schedule
As of 04/16/02
Monday, April 29, 2002
10:00 A.M. Memorial Room, Historic Creston Depot
Pine & Adams Streets,
Creston, Iowa
Tuesday, April 30, 2002
10:00 A.M. Amtrak Station, Main & E. Clay Streets
Osceola, Iowa
Wednesday, May 1, 2002 HAPPY BIRTHDAY, AMTRAK!
10:00 A.M. Amtrak Station, 210 West Main Street
Ottumwa, Iowa
Thursday, May 2, 2002
10:00 A.M. Amtrak Station, 418 N. Adams Street
Mount Pleasant, Iowa
2:00 P.M. Amtrak Station, 300 South Main Street
Burlington, Iowa
Friday, May 3, 2002
10:00 A.M. Amtrak Station, 1601 20th Street
Fort Madison, Iowa