FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:      June 1, 2000                        
CONTACT: Patricia Nicoson                                                                             
    (703) 716-5750

Dulles Corridor Rail Association                                                                                                

DCRA Spring Reception to Honor Frank R. Wolf

On Monday, June 5^th , the Dulles Corridor Rail Association (DCRA) is sponsoring a reception to honor Congressman Frank R. Wolf. The reception is being hosted by America Online (AOL) at its Loudoun County campus. AOL is a founding member of DCRA. This rapidly growing company recognizes the need to provide its employees with transit options. It supports the completion of the Metrorail extension into Loudoun County as soon as possible.

DCRA is a non-profit group of individuals, businesses, government agencies, and community groups formed to promote rail in the Dulles Corridor by 2010. "Without the support of Frank Wolf, rail to Dulles would still be a long-term hope rather than a short-term certainty," said DCRA Chairman and Virginia Delegate Ken Plum (D-Reston).

Over the past decade, Congressman Wolf has championed a number of transportation improvements in his District. Recognizing that development in the Dulles Corridor had accelerated (after the downturn in the 1980s) and that rail was still more than a decade away, he put together a group in early 1998 that developed an Innovative Intermodal Transportation Plan for the corridor. This plan recommended a much enhanced bus service and paved the way for inclusion of bus rapid transit as an interim service until rail is constructed.

When the surface transportation program (Transportation Efficiency Act for the 21^st Century) was reauthorized, Congressman Wolf was instrumental in securing $86 million for transit in the Dulles Corridor. In 1998 and 1999, as Chairman of the Transportation Appropriations subcommittee, he helped secure $17 million and $25 million in federal appropriations in 1998 and 1999. Recently (April), his subcommittee approved a $50 million appropriation for 2000.

"Frank Wolf is Virginia’s strongest voice in Congress for transportation" said DCRA Vice Chairman, Virginia Delegate Vincent Callahan (R-McLean). "Frank Wolf’s leadership in rail and bus service on the Dulles corridor will make this dream a reality."

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