Who:    Congressman Eric Cantor
           Congressman Bobby Scott
           Mayor Dwight Jones
           Virginians for High Speed Rail
           Greater Richmond Chamber of Commerce

What:   Press Conference on High-Speed Rail

When:  10:30 a.m. on Friday, April 24, 2009

Where:  Main Street Station
            1500 East Main Street
            Richmond, VA 23219

Background:

Mayor Dwight C. Jones will join Congressmen Eric Cantor and Bobby Scott, as well as representatives from Virginians for High Speed Rail and the Greater Richmond Chamber of Commerce, to thank President Barack Obama’s administration for the inclusion of Southeast Rail Corridor in its strategic plan, and to call upon Virginia to submit requests and plans through competitive grants to ensure the implementation of this important project.

Mayor Jones was part of a group of mayors that met with President Obama last week to discuss the President's vision for high-speed rail in America.  The Mayor was pleased with the Federal Railroad Administration’s inclusion of the Southeast Rail Corridor in the Department of Transportation’s recent announcement of a High-Speed Rail Strategic Plan.  Mayor Jones stands in agreement with both Congressmen Cantor and Scott that a high-speed rail line between Richmond and Washington, D.C. provides a sensible and viable solution to the Richmond region’s transportation challenges while creating jobs and billions of dollars in economic development.

Contact: Tammy Hawley, (804) 646-3110