NEWS FROM:
ANDY MARTIN
“He works for
the People of Illinois”
Republican for U. S. Senator
Suite 4406
30 E. Huron Street
Chicago, IL 60611-4723
312) 440-4124
ATTENTION DAYBOOK/ASSIGNMENT EDITORS: FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
ANDY MARTIN SAYS SENATOR DICK DURBIN “HAS BLOOD ON HIS HANDS” BECAUSE OF FRIDAY’S CHICAGO RAIL COLLISION, CHARGES DURBIN HAS ACCOMPLISHED NOTHING TO BUILD A MODERN RAIL SYSTEM FOR ILLINOIS
(CHICAGO)(December 1, 2007) Republican U. S. Senate candidate Andy Martin will hold an angry news conference Saturday, December 1st, to charge that Senator Dick Durbin has “blood on his hands” because of the senator’s failure to fight for dedicated, high-speed passenger rail service, in light of the Amtrak/NS train collision in Chicago on Friday. In a preview of a slashing U. S. Senate campaign set to debut on February 6th, Martin will accuse “Hollywood Durbin” of being more interested in fund raising than passenger safety.
“If Dick Durbin spent a fraction of the time fighting for high-speed, dedicated passenger rail service for Illinois that he spends as ‘Hollywood Durbin’ working to raise campaign cash, we might have avoided the tragic crash Friday in Chicago,” Martin says. “Durbin has blood on his hands. He has spent over 25 years in Congress accomplishing nothing, and our rail service has deteriorated to the point where you risk your life to ride the rails. This is unacceptable and Friday it became tragically unacceptable.
“Our prayers are with the victims of the crash. But our eyes must be focused on the future, to avoid continuing risks by developing high-speed passenger rail service for the Midwest that runs on dedicated tracks.
“Durbin doesn’t really care about passenger trains because he rides in lobbyist limos. Rail service out of Chicago is pathetic. Every time I take the train to Springfield we sit on the side while freight trains pass us.
“There are also economic consequences to Durbin's inaction. The economy of the Midwest is atrophying because of lack of adequate transportation.
“Chicago is a ‘dream’ center for high-speed rail. We are the capital of the Midwest. Distances to Milwaukee, Rockford, the Quad Cities, Peoria, Springfield, Carbondale, Champaign-Urbana and Indianapolis are ideal for passenger service. Durbin has given lip service to passenger rail, but he has no record of producing trains on the tracks. Durbin’s talk has been too little and too late, and usually timed to his reelection years.
“Anyone who has tried to book a plane ticket to Peoria or Springfield knows you can fly to London (England) for less than it takes to get to Illinois cities. High fares and infrequent service are strangling our regional economy. High-speed, dedicated passenger rail service would boost the economy of Illinois, as well as all of the surrounding states. But most importantly, dedicated track, high-speed passenger rail service would enhance safety.
“Do-Nothing Durbin has done nothing to advance Illinois’ regional needs for safe, high-speed dedicated-track passenger service. In Washington I will champion the need for enhanced rail service, and enhanced safety. It is sad that at a time when every civilized nation in the world is developing outstanding train service, we rely on Toonerville Trolleys and risk our lives to ride passenger trains. I’m angry about Durbin’s incompetence and inattention. I intend to take action when I get to Washington.”
NEWS CONFERENCE DETAILS:
WHO: U. S. Senate candidate Andy Martin
WHERE: 30 E. Huron (indoors-see concierge)
WHEN: Saturday, December 1, 2007 11:00 A.M.
WHAT: Andy Martin says Senator Dick Durbin has “blood on his
Hands” because of his failure to fight for high-speed
dedicated passenger rail service
MEDIA
CONTACT: (312) 440-4124
WEBSITE: AndyforUSSenator.com
E-MAIL: AndyforUSSenator@aol.com
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© Copyright by Andy Martin 2007. Chicago-based Martin holds a Juris Doctor degree from the University of Illinois College of Law. Comments? E-mail: AndyforUSSenator@aol.com. Media contact: (312) 440-4124. Web site: AndyforUSSenator.com.
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