Greater Valley Forge is thankful for the work she does, and the organization wanted her to know it.
GVF's Executive Director Rob Henry and Assistant Director Maureen Farrell presented U.S. Representative Allyson Y. Schwartz (PA-13) with the 2013 ACT "Legislator of the Year" award for "her work in Congress to support transit funding, commuter benefits and infrastructure initiatives in Pennsylvania," according to a recent release from GVF's Carissa Bobenchik.
The Association for Commuter Transportation (ACT) is a national organization, said Bobenchik, that "works to expand options for commuters and last week marked its seventh annual Legislative Summit in Washington, D.C."
"As GVF advocates and promotes a viable transportation network for the region's economic vitality, Henry, Vice President for ACT, finds this Legislative Summit extremely valuable since several policy positions that will directly benefit GVF's partners are discussed: ensuring the transit benefit have parity with parking benefit and become permanent, ACT's Re-Authorization Principles and ACT's STOP Congestion Proposal," said Bobenchik.
Henry said he was happy to recognize the congresswoman's hard work.
"Both Maureen and I were very honored to present Congresswoman Schwartz with ACT National's 2013 Legislator of the Year award," said Henry. "The Congresswoman has been an active supporter of GVF during her time in the House and has also supported every major initiative that ACT has pushed forward in Washington D.C."
Bobenchik said the support was nothing new from the local congresswoman, who know is running in the 2014 Pennsylvania governor primary race.
"Schwartz has long championed the improvement and sustainability of transportation infrastructure in Pennsylvania and nationwide," said Bobenchik, GVF communications director. "She has worked to increase federal funding for Amtrak, transit networks and the Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) grant initiative."
She said the congresswoman has supported GVF initiatives in multiple ways.
"As a member of Congress, she has successfully secured more than $50 million in TIGER funding for southeastern Pennsylvania to improve infrastructure and strengthen economic development, as well as a $10 million grant to reduce congestion for transit and cars, as well as improve reliability along traffic-jammed streets in Philadelphia's neighborhoods," said Bobenchik. "She has also secured $23 million for the Philadelphia Area Pedestrian and Bicycle Network to repair, reconstruct, and improve 16.3 miles of pedestrian and bicycle facilities to complete a 128-mile regional network in six counties around Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey."
Schwartz said she was happy to help.
"As someone who has fought for smart, effective transportation solutions to make our region more livable and strengthen our economy, I am proud to be named a Legislator of the Year by the Association for Commuter Transportation," said Schwartz. "Every day, millions of commuters depend on Pennsylvania's roads and mass transit systems to get to work, and businesses across the nation rely on our highways, railroads, and waterways to get their goods to market. Our economic growth depends on revitalizing our transportation network."
ACT is a national organization representing regional agencies, nonprofit organizations and private businesses who share a commitment to developing balanced, effective transportation systems nationwide and providing travel choices for all Americans, according to the release. ACT members include employers, state and local agencies, universities and other organizations that collaborate to increase the use of transportation alternatives in order to reduce congestion, save energy and improve the environment, explained Bobenchik.
Founded in 1990, GVF is a not-for-profit organization created to advocate and promote a viable transportation network for the region's economic vitality, according to the release.
To maximize awareness and develop sustainable support, GVF partners with public and private entities. GVF's mission is "to achieve a desirable quality of life and a healthy, competitive economic environment by developing multi-faceted transportation strategies."
For more information about GVF or to learn about the benefits of partnership, visit the GVF website here.