Contact: Dan Block
March 25, 2005                                                                                           (503) 219-9333


Senator Johnson Recognized for Rail Advocacy


Oregon State Senator Betsy Johnson (D-Scappoose) was formally recognized recently for her exemplary support of Oregon’s passenger and freight rail programs with the presentation of an award from the Association of Oregon Rail and Transit Advocates (AORTA). The award presentation was made during the annual meeting of the Northwest Region of the National Association of Railroad Passengers held in Portland.

Conference Chairman Daniel Block stated, “The Northwest needs to continue to invest in its rail infrastructure for both freight and passenger rail service and Senator Johnson has been an outstanding advocate. The overwhelming success of the Lewis & Clark Excursion Train from Portland to Astoria and the recent addition of improved rail spurs in the Rainier area are just two examples of just how effective Senator Johnson has been.”

“I am deeply honored and appreciative of this award”, Johnson said. “It is becoming increasingly clear that we have to place greater emphasis on other modes of transportation to move people and freight. Our highway system is at capacity in many areas of the state and will be at capacity in most of the remaining areas in the very near future”, she added.

In addition to her leadership in making the Lewis & Clark Excursion Train a very successful tourist attraction for the region, Johnson was singled out for her efforts to assist a Rainier company, Teevin Brothers, to expand its use of rail to transport logs. According to Paul Langer, a spokesman for the company, Teevin Brothers loads up to 40 rail cars a day with logs that otherwise would require 160 log truck loads. “We are firm believers in using all modes of transportation to ship logs and without adequate rail access we would not be growing at the rate we are. Senator Johnson has been very helpful in helping Teevin Brothers secure the rail access we need,” Langer said.

Senator Johnson is serving her first term in the Oregon Senate having previously served two terms in the House of Representatives. Her senate district includes portions of Multnomah and Washington counties and all of Tillamook, Clatsop and Columbia counties.