H. C. R. No. 39 As Introduced

As Introduced

130th General Assembly

Regular Session

2013-2014

H. C. R. No. 39

Representative Sheehy

Cosponsors: Representatives Hagan, R., Foley, Strahorn, Ramos

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION

To urge Congress to enact the Safe Freight Act. 1

BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF OHIO
(THE SENATE CONCURRING):

       WHEREAS, Ohio's freight rail system represents a significant 2
component of Ohio's transportation infrastructure and is vital to 3
supporting the economy throughout the state, particularly 4
manufacturing, mining, and agriculture; and 5

       WHEREAS, Ohio has over 7,000 freight train employees and a 6
freight rail system of long-haul, regional, and short line 7
railroads containing more than 5,300 miles of freight line; and 8

       WHEREAS, Freight trains, which can be up to two miles long 9
and may carry millions of pounds of freight, require adequate crew 10
members for safe operation; and 11

       WHEREAS, On July 6, 2013, a runaway freight train tragically 12
exploded and killed 47 people in the Canadian province of Quebec, 13
partially because the single-crew member was unable to properly 14
secure the cars to prevent the runaway; and 15

       WHEREAS, Rail system safety is a high priority for both rail 16
carriers and government agencies due to the potential impact of 17
freight train-related accidents on the general public and the 18
efficiency of rail operations; and 19

       WHEREAS, The federal Safe Freight Act pending in Congress 20
would require a freight train crew to consist of at least two 21
individuals. Staffing a freight train with at least two 22
individuals would foster safer grade crossings, especially in 23
congested cities, by decreasing the chance of potentially 24
dangerous blind spots, would increase efficiency and the overall 25
safety of freight train operations, and would aid in properly 26
parking and securing a train; now therefore be it 27

       RESOLVED, That we, the members of the 130th General Assembly 28
of the State of Ohio, urge the Congress of the United States to 29
enact the Safe Freight Act in order to ensure that no freight 30
train be operated unless it has a crew of at least two properly 31
certified individuals; and be it further 32

       RESOLVED, That the Clerk of the House of Representatives 33
transmit duly authenticated copies of this resolution to the 34
Speaker and Clerk of the United States House of Representatives, 35
the President Pro Tempore and Secretary of the United States 36
Senate, the members of the Ohio Congressional delegation, and the 37
news media of Ohio. 38

WHEREAS, Ohio's freight rail system represents a significant	2
component of Ohio's transportation infrastructure and is vital to	3
supporting the economy throughout the state, particularly	4
manufacturing, mining, and agriculture; and	5

WHEREAS, Ohio has over 7,000 freight train employees and a	6
freight rail system of long-haul, regional, and short line	7
railroads containing more than 5,300 miles of freight line; and	8

WHEREAS, Freight trains, which can be up to two miles long	9
and may carry millions of pounds of freight, require adequate crew	10
members for safe operation; and	11

WHEREAS, On July 6, 2013, a runaway freight train tragically	12
exploded and killed 47 people in the Canadian province of Quebec,	13
partially because the single-crew member was unable to properly	14
secure the cars to prevent the runaway; and	15

WHEREAS, Rail system safety is a high priority for both rail	16
carriers and government agencies due to the potential impact of	17
freight train-related accidents on the general public and the	18
efficiency of rail operations; and	19

WHEREAS, The federal Safe Freight Act pending in Congress	20
would require a freight train crew to consist of at least two	21
individuals. Staffing a freight train with at least two	22
individuals would foster safer grade crossings, especially in	23
congested cities, by decreasing the chance of potentially	24
dangerous blind spots, would increase efficiency and the overall	25
safety of freight train operations, and would aid in properly	26
parking and securing a train; now therefore be it	27

RESOLVED, That we, the members of the 130th General Assembly	28
of the State of Ohio, urge the Congress of the United States to	29
enact the Safe Freight Act in order to ensure that no freight	30
train be operated unless it has a crew of at least two properly	31
certified individuals; and be it further	32

RESOLVED, That the Clerk of the House of Representatives	33
transmit duly authenticated copies of this resolution to the	34
Speaker and Clerk of the United States House of Representatives,	35
the President Pro Tempore and Secretary of the United States	36
Senate, the members of the Ohio Congressional delegation, and the	37
news media of Ohio.	38