CONGRESSMAN RUSS CARNAHAN TO RECEIVE ROSA PARKS TRANSPORTATION AWARD

Carnahan recognized for his leadership in connecting people to jobs, education and healthcare

(WASHINGTON, D.C.) On Monday, March 5th, Congressman Russ Carnahan will become the second recipient of the Rosa Parks Transportation Equity Award which recognizes leadership and action on transportation policies which promote social justice and economic opportunity. This is only the second time the award has been presented by the Transportation Equity Network or TEN.

Representatives from many of the 350 community organizations in some 41 states which comprise the TEN, will be on hand for the award presentation to Congressman Carnahan, as part of their 2011 Conference in Washington, D.C at the Capitol Skyline Hotel.

The honor singles out the St. Louis congressman for his work on a number of transportation equity issues which are of great importance to the TEN. In particular, the award commends Carnahan for his leadership in working to attain a vital flexibility provision in federal law. Carnahan's transit flexibility amendment gives local transit providers the budgetary authority to spend part of their federal dollars for operating expenses in times of economic crisis, to help ensure they are able to continue getting their riders to work, to school, to medical providers and to allow them to engage in commerce and culture.

"Congressman Carnahan as been a tireless fighter in making sure that nobody is left waiting for the bus. He understands better than most, especially in this time of fragile economic recovery, that at the beginning of the day, people need to get to work," said TEN Executive Director Laura Barrett. "Congressman Carnahan's actions honor the legacy of Rosa Parks by demonstrating how transportation policy becomes an instrument of social justice."

"It is at this core level, the simple fact that a dependable ride can change someone's life, that fuels my passion to keep fighting for equal rights in transportation," said Carnahan. "I am honored to receive the Rosa Parks Transportation Equity Award, rightfully named for a courageous and independent woman who touched off a civil rights movement by sitting down for what she believed in. It's up to us to make sure those seats remain available."

Transportation Equity Network (TEN) is a network of more than 350 community organizations in 41 states and Washington, DC, fighting for an equity-based national transportation system. TEN is a project of the Gamaliel Foundation. For more information on TEN, contact Sam Finkestein, Deputy Director, Transportation Equity Network, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or 312.545.6871

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