[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1278]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]





   RECOGNIZING THE 40TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE METRA COMMUTER RAIL SYSTEM

                                 ______
                                 

                      HON. BRADLEY SCOTT SCHNEIDER

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, December 16, 2024

  Mr. SCHNEIDER. Mr. Speaker, today I proudly rise to recognize the 
40th Anniversary of the Metra rail system serving the people throughout 
Chicago and across the region.
  The Metra commuter rail system--specifically the Milwaukee District 
North, the Union Pacific North, and the North Central Service lines--
connects Illinois's 10th district to the city of Chicago and 
neighboring communities. From Winthrop Harbor through Zion, Waukegan, 
North Chicago, Lake Bluff, Lake Forest, Highwood, Highland Park, 
Glencoe, Winnetka, and Kenilworth; from Antioch through Lake Villa, 
Round Lake Beach, Grayslake, Libertyville, Mundelein, Vernon Hills, 
Vernon Township, Buffalo Grove, and Wheeling; and from Fox Lake through 
Long Lake, Round Lake, Deerfield, and Northbrook, Metra is literally a 
lifeline for the citizens of the 10th District.
  Metra began as an amalgamation of private rail services, some of 
which had existed for more than a century. Today, Metra is the fourth-
busiest commuter rail system in the country and serves millions of 
riders throughout the region with eleven lines moving between 243 
stations. Metra serves as a critical backbone for workers and families 
who depend on reliable, safe transportation through the frigid winter 
and sweltering summers. Metra is more than just a commuter rail 
system--it is an indelible feature of life in Chicagoland, serving 
workers, sports fans, students, the elderly, and many more.
  I have been honored to consistently advocate for Metra's priorities 
during my service in Congress, and proud to have secured funding for 
projects for station modernization, accessibility improvements, and 
platform rehabilitation. These historic investments in our 
transportation infrastructure--made possible under the Biden 
Administration's Bipartisan Infrastructure Law--will help Metra 
flourish well into the future.
  I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing the accomplishments and 
service Metra, and the people who ensure the trains run, have provided 
for the past 40 years. To the engineers, conductors, planners, 
maintenance workers, advocates, and organizational leaders who 
dedicated countless hours over the decades to elevate Metra to where it 
is today--I thank and commend them for their vision and hard work. I 
look forward to continuing my work with Metra to promote its continued 
success--not just for the good of the Tenth District, but for all the 
people in the Chicago region.

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