November 16, 2005: NORTON RELEASES CONTROVERSIAL LETTER ON DISMISL OF AMTRAK'S DAVID GUNN
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 16, 2005
NORTON RELEASES CONTROVERSIAL LETTER ON DISMISL OF AMTRAK'S DAVID GUNN
Washington, DC—Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) today issued the following letter after it was cited at yesterday’s hearing on the governance of Amtrak and the dismissal of David Gunn.
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November 16, 2005
Mr. David M. Laney
Chairman, Board of Directors
Nation Railroad Passenger Corporation
Washington, DC
Dear Mr. Laney:
Thank you for appearing at yesterday’s House Transportation and Infrastructure Subcommittee on Railroads hearing on the governance issues precipitated by the dismissal of David Gunn. You may recall that during questioning, I asked you whether you had written Speaker Dennis Hastert supporting the President’s budget of zero for Amtrak, citing a quote that appeared in a news publication, and asked if you believed that supporting zero funding for the corporation was in keeping with your fiduciary responsibilities. You answered that you recalled no such letter. I write now because I promised to get the entire letter, which I am now attaching, and to make public what I found. I will include this letter in the record of yesterday’s hearing as well.
You wrote to Vice President Dick Cheney and Speaker Hastert on February 17, 2005 that: “The Amtrak Reform Board agrees that the President’s proposed operating budget of “zero” is the right message. Status quo at Amtrak is neither viable nor acceptable. To effect needed reforms at Amtrak, however, “zero” is not the right number at this juncture.”
The publication that cited your support of zero funding did not include the full four sentences from your letter on the subject. Read in total, you apparently were cognizant of the issues raised by support of a zero budget, at least “at this juncture,” as I was relieved to learn. As a public figure, however, you may find how the press views such a volatile remark to be instructive. Often reporters feel under no compunction to seek clarification, as I did.
Amtrak, of course, is head-quartered here in my district, and I have always had a special interest in the corporation. I look forward to working with you to enhance its viability.