Action Today!

[Mauriceman]

SAVE FUNDING FOR BICYCLE AND PEDESTRIAN PROJECTS

CALL CONGRESS TODAY!

On Thursday, September 4th, the U.S. House of Representatives will vote on
the 2004 Transportation Appropriations bill. Currently, that bill contains
language which eliminates funding for the popular Transportation
Enhancements program, the major source of federal money for projects such
as multi-use paths, bike lanes and safety education efforts.

Two good friends of bicycling, Congressman Tom Petri (R-WI) and
Congressman John Olver (D-MA) will offer an amendment during debate on
Thursday to restore the funding.

Call your Representative today and ask them to support the amendment by
Petri (pron "PEE-try") and Olver to save the Enhancements program by
striking Section 114 of HR 2989. Make the call on Tuesday, September 2 or
Wednesday, September 3.

The main Capitol switchboard is 202-224-3121. To figure out who represents
you, visit http://econstituent.votenet.com/lab and type in your zip code
at the bottom. Call the Representative's Washington office.

Since 1991, the Enhancements program has built over 16,000
locally-initiated projects in communities across the country. For more
info, visit www.americabikes.org.

Let's make some noise in Congress! Please call today and forward this
action alert to all friends of cycling.

[DirtRagArt]

I called this morning, it took about 2 minutes and the woman I spoke with was very pleasant, courteous and seemed downright interested in what I had to say. She assured me that my congressman (Rep. Michael Doyle (D) Congressional District 14 - PA) was sympathetic to our cause.

[wooglin]

Done. Although I'm not convinced my rep, Joe Wilson (R), is particularly sympathetic to anything that might be perceived as remotely liberal. Oh well.

[wooglin]

<quote>

September 4, 2003

Hi folks

Yahoo! Moments ago, the House of Representatives voted to restore funding for the Transportation Enhancements program in the 2004 Transportation Appropriations bill.
The bi-partisan effort was led by Representatives Petri (R-WI) and Olver(D-MA).

Huge thanks to everyone who wrote letters, made calls and let Congress know that the Enhancements program was important. Your voice was heard!

This victory not only restores $600 million in dedicated funding for 2004, it puts the bicycle and pedestrian community on strong footing for the bigger battle over the reauthorization of TEA-21, the 6 year transportation funding bill.

More later. Nice work, y'all!

I am THRILLED!

-m
Martha Roskowski
America Bikes
Campaign Manager
www.americabikes.org
martha@americabikes.org

[Raymo853]

You can find out how your congressman voted here:
http://clerkweb.house.gov/cgi-bin/vote.exe?year=2003&rollnumber=469

Take note of the which political party all of the 90 folks that voted No on this bill are from.