2009 Railroad Day On Capitol Hill

 

 

Railroad Day on Capitol Hill has proven to be the single most effective way to get our message to Congress. The size of the event, the geographical diversity of the participants, and the unified railroad industry message has focused Congress on our issues like never before.

The continued success of this event is absolutely dependent on your participation. You put the real life face on the issues that matter most to our industry.  When you turn out in force you demonstrate that those issues affect a large group of individuals who employ an even larger group of people from across the country.

Railroad Day on Capitol Hill is not an easy day.  After an early morning briefing on the issues, participants move through a full day of meetings with Representatives, Senators and their staff.  Some meetings are very successful, some are not.  But together they create an impression and help build the momentum our professional representatives need to secure Congressional action on the issues that are most important to the health and prosperity of our businesses.  A successful Railroad Day on Capitol Hill will build the foundation we need to secure the railroad tax credit, to stop re-regulation and to bring about a more balanced transportation infrastructure spending policy.

Railroad Day on Capitol Hill is only successful if a very large number of you attend.  It is a day that can have a very positive impact on your business.  We hope you and as many members of your company as possible will help make this day a success.

To view the ASLRRA's press release concerning Railroad Day on Capitol Hill, click here.

General Information
Railroad Day is Thursday, February 26, 2009. ASLRRA's Annual Legislative Reception and Dinner will be held the evening of the 26th, following the last Hill appointments, and it continues to be an annual highlight in the rail community. Congressional, Federal and State Government agency representatives and members of the press, convene at this annual event.

Hill appointments run from as early as 9:30am and can go as late as 4:30pm, so when making your travel arrangements, please plan your flight and train times accordingly so you do not miss any of your scheduled appointments.  Better yet, make plans to stay overnight and attend the ASLRRA's Legislative Reception and Dinner and join the over 400 representatives from all areas of the railroad industry as well as Congressional, Federal, State and Local Government agencies.

Who Should Attend?
Attendance is open to all Class I, II, and III railroad personnel, shippers, state and local government representatives, as well as members from the supplier community with an interest in furthering the political goals of the railroad industry.

Hotel Room Information
We have two room blocks this year to accommodate our group.  The cut-off date for both room blocks is Monday, January 26. 

Grand Hyatt Washington Hotel (Hotel may be sold out - overflow hotel info below)
(Headquarters Hotel - Site of Railroad Day Orientation and the Dinner) 
Hotel rooms can be reserved by calling the hotel at 202-582-1234. The room rate is $239, plus 14.5% tax. You can call the hotel and mention American Short Line to obtain our group rate.

Four Points by Sheraton Hotel
(Two blocks from the Grand Hyatt)
Hotel rooms can be reserved by calling 888-627-8681 and mention ASLRRA to obtain our group rate of $225, plus 14.5% tax. 

You are urged to make your reservations right away as the room blocks are expected to sell out quickly and because of a city-wide convention in town that week, we are unsure if we can get additional rooms at this low rate, particularly for Wednesday night.

Registration
The Railroad Day event registration is FREE, but it does not include the reception or the dinner.  Registration for the ASLRRA's Legislative Reception and Dinner is $225 and helps us to pay for all of our special dinner guests.  Please register as early as possible (and no later than February 12) so we can schedule you on hill visits and have your name badge and registration materials ready for you when you arrive at the desk. Click here to register online.

Schedule
To view a schedule of all Railroad Day on Capitol Hill activities, click here.

Useful Materials
We have included some documents here that you may find of particular use for your meetings on the hill. These documents provide a concise view of our goals for Congress' 2009 session.

  • Short Line Tax Credit Extension White Paper - This document outlines the objectives of the legislation and the case for short line railroads, and lists the sponsors of the legislation in 2007-08.
  • Customer Success Stories - A document providing brief success stories and endorsements of Section 45G from short line railroad customers.
  • Issues Brochure - Provides a brief synopsis of the hot-button topics that matter to the short line industry.

Questions?