Vice President Biden, Railroad Administrator, Members of Congress Announce Funding for Amtrak in Recovery Act
Posted by Lou on Mar 16, 2009
Standing at Washington, DC’s Union Station, one of the most traveled railway stations in the nation, Vice President Joe Biden announced that Amtrak will receive $1.3 billion in grant funding from the recently enacted American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) to expand passenger rail capacity. He was joined by Jo Strang, Acting Federal Railroad Administrator, along with several members of Congress, including: Senator Arlen Specter (R-PA); Senator John Kerry (D-MA); Senator John D. Rockefeller, IV (D-W.Va); Senator Bill Nelson (D-FL); Senator Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ); Senator Ted Kaufman (D-DE); Congressman Nick Rahall (D-W.Va.); Congresswoman Corrine Brown (D-FL); Congressman Elijah Cummings (D-MD); Congressman Rick Larsen (D-WA); Congressman Christopher Carney (D-PA); and Congressman Andre Carson (D-IN).
Grants and Stuff
Posted by Lou on Feb 13, 2009
Wildlife Heritage Foundation gets UP grant .The Wildlife Heritage Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving California’s rich heritage of open spaces, agricultural land and wildlife, has received a $5,000 grant from the Union Pacific Foundation, the philanthropic arm of the Union Pacific Corporation and Union Pacific Railroad, to support their Outdoor Environmental Education Program. The program’s goal is to promote conservation education and experiential learning to grades K-5.
The Union Pacific Foundation is funded each year from the operating profits of Union Pacific Corporation.
That’s great stuff. But it makes me a little bit jealous. As important as it is to support the local Community, especially for the Wildlife Heritage Fund (what the heck is that ?), I am going to need some support, too. As an employee I am sitting closer to UP than some Outdoor Foundation. At least I thought I was. Help the outdoor furloughed people. We are increasing and we can be still useful to the Company. As I was told at the hiring session some years ago. This session was very interesting. During the session I was asked several questions about my willingness to work and be ready for some ‘unusual’ work conditions – like be off work for 4 months and than be called to get ready to work in 90 minutes. Hmm, they didn’t mention the 14 months out of work, but surly the 90 minutes call time. The recruiting Manager was an old army guy who sure did know his handwork. “If you don’t have a cellphone to be called to work, UP will provide you one.” Yeah riiight! “ During your first year you may not be able to reach $75.000 but I can assure you that it will be around $50.000. And than the sky is the limit.” HAH!! So, how does this sound to you if you don’t know the background and the real possibilities they provide you ? Pretty good, eh ? So I thought, too. It took me about 5 months to figure out the truth of it all. Now I am still with the company, after 2 years, and I try to work as much as possible. I get here and there a trip, that’s all. Just for ’standing by the Railroad’ and a ‘willingness to work at any time’ we, the furloughed People should get a grant or something else. I would be happy to get some more training on the road. That helps everybody when we get back to work. We will be a 100% rules fit, know the territory and we will be motivated too deep in our work boots. But since Circus Cars in a parade ($30,000 worth!) and the Wildlife Heritage Fund is more important that I am I should dress up like a clown and run through the woods to get a little token of appreciation to keep my fridge full. Just some thoughts…..
