Georgia Congressman John Barrow Joins House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure
Georgia Congressman John Barrow Joins House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure
February 15, 2006
Washington, DC - 12th District Georgia Congressman John Barrow (D-Savannah) today was elected to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, a powerful committee with jurisdiction over America's surface transportation, aviation, freight and passenger rail, Coast Guard, inland waterway system, international maritime commerce, the Economic Development Administration, public buildings, and various environmental issues.
"Georgia's 12th District has an extensive road, rail, air, and sea transportation infrastructure that has to keep pace with the economic growth in our area," Barrow said. "I'm honored to serve on the Transportation Committee, and I see this as a great opportunity to keep our state and our region on the move."
In 2005, only one member of Georgia's congressional delegation sat on the House Transportation Committee - Atlanta area Congressman Lynn Westmoreland. Neither of Georgia's two Senators currently serve on the Senate's Transportation Committee. Barrow's appointment doubles Georgia's representation on the Transportation Committee, and provides a strong voice for the concerns of the entire state, especially Georgia's 12th Congressional District.
"Georgia is a vital transportation hub for the Southeast and for the entire country," Barrow continued. "Working with communities from across the 12th District and all of Georgia, I intend to make sure our state's transportation needs are met.'
Last year, Barrow served on the Transportation Conference Committee, which was responsible for crafting the final version of the surface transportation bill (TEA-LU). That bill included more than $280 billion in federal transportation funds, with $34.6 million dedicated to specific transportation projects in Barrow's 12th Congressional District.
The seat on the Transportation Committee opened up when former Congressman Robert Menendez of New Jersey was selected to fill the remaining term of former Senator Jon Corzine. Barrow will relinquish his seat on the House Committee on the Education and Workforce, but will continue to serve on both the Small Business Committee and the Agriculture Committee.
http://barrow.house.gov/latestnews.asp?ARTICLE3205=7159