2 SEP 2003: CALL CONGRESS Sept 2nd or 3rd--SAVE FUNDING FOR BICYCLE AND PEDESTRIAN PROJECTS

We received the following message today from AmericaBikes. Please take a moment to contact your representative. about this important matterYour call not only helps restore Enhancements to the 2004 Transportation Budget, but also helps our representatives remember that there is deep and broad support for bicycle and pedestrian issues in the ongoing TEA-21 re-authorization, which will determine federal transportation policy for the next six years.

SAVE FUNDING FOR BICYCLE AND PEDESTRIAN PROJECTS
CALL CONGRESS TODAY!

On Thursday, September 4th, the US 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 multiuse 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.

To figure out who represents you, visit www.house.gov. Call their Washington office. The main Capitol switchboard is 202-224-3121.

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.

-m
Martha Roskowski
Campaign Manager
AMERICA BIKES
1612 K Street, NW, Suite 800
Washington DC 20006
202-833-8080 phone, 202-822-1334 fax
martha @ americabikes.org
http://www.americabikes.org

Background info:

• MoBikeFed News coverage of the House Enhancements issues. (Federal Transportation Bill, highway funding for 2004)
  
  
• MoBikeFed News coverage of the federal TEA-21 renewal process. (TEA-21 renewal will determine federal transportation policy for the next 6 years)

UPDATE, 4 September 2003:
The amendment to restore funding for Transportation Enhancements passed the House, with strong bipartisan support. Read the MoBikeFed News article for more info.

MoBikeFed News has a rundown of how area representatives voted.