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Thank you, Mayor. You know the people of Charlotte and its suburbs have always had
big transportation plans, you just never heard some of them come out of the Mayor's mouth.
They have those big plans because they know that investment in transportation is an investment
not only in jobs in greater Charlotte, but also in its growth. The citizens of Charlotte
the supported the streetcar more than 60 years ago did it because they knew it would put
people to work, but it would also help people get to work. It would aid in the overall growth
of greater Charlotte. Well, 60 years later we're at it again today. We're very thrilled
to deliver $25million in tax payer monies back to the people of North Carolina to improve
their future and make a better future here in Charlotte and Mecklenburg County. An important
thing to remember, though this 1.5 mile line is just the beginning. It's just the beginning
of a system that's going to be expanded out to a 10-mile line that will run all the way
out to Rosa Parks Place, Johnson C. Smith, and all the way out to Eastland Mall. These
are the kinds of projects that are going to enable people to jump on the streetcar and
keep more of their hard earned money in their wallet, rather than handing it over at the
gas pump. It's going to be extremely convenient for students, for workers of the hospital,
for people who are going down for a game. It's the kind of thing that's going to transform
downtown Charlotte. And as the Mayor pointed out, we're making great progress on extending
the blue line up to UNC Charlotte. We've been working with them seemingly every day, having
meetings weekly. Even more important, meetings quarterly to move that project forward and
deploy those benefits as soon as we possibly can. Now, it's projects like these that don't
just put people to work, but improve the quality of life for Americans all across the
country. That's why, as the Secretary LaHood said, it's critical for Congress to pass the
American Jobs Act now. When we invest in projects of this kind, not only does it have a massive
multiplier effect it's not just the construction, it's not just the additional money we put
in those people's pocket that gets put right back into the economy. The American Jobs Act
goes beyond infrastructure investment. The American Jobs Act has tax relief for working
families. That tax relief will add up to about $1,500 per family. That's extra money in people's
pockets to pay the grocery bill, to make the car payment, to pay tuition, to buy school
supplies, to buy clothes for school. In these tough economic times people need that break,
and the American Jobs Act will give them that break. And the Americans Job Act will give
them that tax break and it will do it in a fashion that is paid for, every dollar of
it. Not one dollar of the American Jobs Act will be added to the deficit. One of the reasons
why Secretary LaHood and I like to come to North Carolina is it's emblematic of a place
where people put their partisan differences aside and work together to get things done.
That is President Obama's vision, as well. He's asking Congress to put aside the partisan
games. Just as Senator Hagan and Senator Burr can work together to advance projects in this
state; just as Sue Myrick and Mel Watt can work together to advance projects in this
Region so too, can all of Congress put Americans back to work by passing the American Job Act.
As the President pointed out in his statement before a joint session of Congress, every
proposal in the American Jobs Act has been endorsed by groups of Republicans and Democrats
at different times. There are no harsh partisan proposals in this bill and every penny of
it is paid for. There is no reason not to pass it now. So, we're asking for your help.
We need to let people know that there is a promise of getting this done. There is a promise
of tax relief that is paid for. There s a promise of more jobs here in Charlotte, here
in Mecklenburg County, across North Carolina and across the United States with the passage
of this bill. Please help us. Thank you very much.