» NARP 2010 Congressional Reception & Council Meeting

The National Association of Railroad Passengers held its annual Congressional Reception on Capitol Hill in the Foyer of the Rayburn House Office Building on April 27, 2010.  The theme was Equipped for Growth, and representatives of Congress, the Obama Administration, and the rail industry were in attendance.

There were also several people honored and recognized that evening:

• Representative James Oberstar, Chairman of the House Transportation & Infrastructure committee, was presented with a special Dr. Gary Burch Memorial Safety Award for making “safety in railroad transportation the highest priority in carrying out its duties.”
• John Bernal, a Mechanical Foreman for Amtrak in San Antonio, won the 2010 Dr. Gary Burch Memorial Safety Award significantly enhancing rail passenger safety for train passengers traveling through Texas.
• The Burch family also presented a special plaque to North Carolina State Rail Division’s Director of Engineering & Safety Paul Worley, for his outstanding efforts in fighting to make rail and rail-crossings safer.

Scroll down to view pictures of the event that offered attendees an opportunity to mingle with Congress members and their staffers in a relaxed and congenial atmosphere. Click here to view additional photos (hosted on Facebook; membership is not required to view photos).

Next year’s event will be held April 2011.  Please consider sponsoring the reception to help defray the cost of putting on a first-class event. All sponsors will receive public recognition at the Reception. If you or your corporation would like to sponsor or obtain more information, please call the NARP office at (202) 408-8362 or send us an e-mail.

High resolution copies of these and many other photos are available.  Please call the NARP office at (202) 408-8362 or send us an e-mail.

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Chairman Oberstar receives the Burch Award.

Chairwoman Corinne Brown of the House Transportation & Infrastructure Railroad Subcommittee

Congressman Earl Blumenauer addresses the crowd

NARP President Ross Capon, Rep. Oberstar, and U.S. DOT Deputy-Secretary John Porcari

Michael and Betty Burch present John Bernal (center) with the Dr. Gary Burch Memorial Safety Award

Rep. Bob Etheridge (right) congratulates NCDOT Paul Worley and his wife, Tonya Worley

Federal Railroad Administrator Joseph Szabo (left) and Amtrak’s Joe McHugh

Newly elected NARP Chairman Robert Stewart (right) with Vice-Chairman Albert Papp, Jr.

Capon speaks to the assembled crowd

Left to right: Tonya and Paul Worley, NARP Council member James Stevenson, Rep. Howard Coble (R-NC)

Top row L to R: NCDOT Rail Division Director Patrick Simmons, Deputy US Secy. of Transportation John Porcari, ALSTOM’s Tim Gillespie, NARP Transportation Assistant Malcolm Kenton, NARP Council member James Stevenson.
Bottom row L to R: NCDOT Federal Programs Director Susan Howard, Paul Worley, Rep. Corrine Brown (D-FL), Tonya Worley, NARP Council member Donald Stewart.

The Burch Family at the reception buffet

NARP Council members (from left to right) Dwight Phillips, Albert Papp, Ron Schneider, and Bill Strong

Reception attendees

(From right to left) NARP At-Large Representative Rick Arena with FRA staffers Marvin Winston and Trevor Gibson.

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