Will i and and of the security council. The colonization of that land continues. Well, i think that it is important to make that case and it is a very powerful and powerfully felt case among the palestinians. Their flights will only be alleviated if there is a successful negotiation between the parties. It is not possible they would not be wise to disregard all israeli concerns. Those concerns have to be made known as well. Israel has to know that they can live in peace and security, just as palestinians need to know they can live in a viable state. It is very important to understand both sides of the argument and i dont think that is where very good example of that. [inaudible] and the government over the past two years, it has been rejected by the Palestinian Authority. Yet it does require bilateral talks. I think that there is, as i was indicating a few minutes ago, faults on both sides when it comes to efforts to have negotiations of the last few years. Israel has been wanting to negotiate into negotiations. They have not been the more decisive offer of anything seen in recent years. Anything that has been called for. I think both of those things are going to have to change if we are going to see a successful process. Mr. Fitzpatrick . The foreign secretary said hes worried he is worried about the backlash from israel and others. Given the sentiments, the refugee camps come at the object policy and the rest come how much more can we get that also means . Well, unfortunately it could get worse. The Palestinian Authority is in a precarious financial position, although the United Kingdom and the government is strong in that regard come and we will maintain a strong record. It is a difficult position. Given the nature of the west bank, the proximity of israel, the difficult relations with israel, i guess things could get worse. There ways are ways in which they could get even worse. Taking into consideration both sides. I welcome this statement. With every effort, we have a historical and moral responsibility. Just come i am grateful to my humble friend. We are dealing with the urgency of it and the way we conduct things over the weeks and months. [inaudible] this is a matter for the israeli people. I will not intervene in politics. We have always had good relationships with barack obama, and he is one of the leaders i speak to most frequently. We will make the case very powerful to them about the urgency of this issue. We will not be shy of doing that. Just as we are not shy of palestinians. Mr. Robin walker, this house should support both sides. Also, increasing accountability of palestinian organizations to the u. N. Whether it would mark a step towards depends on what would happen next. And as i mentioned earlier, there is a sequence which they have hope for the future ,com,com ma that is what we are trying to provide for, assurances that we have asked for so that we can maximize the further progress being made we can only answer his question pearly when we see what happens next. What i am interested in is what he said to the Israeli Government what is he doing to prevent a threat about being carried out . We are very clear and we have been clear with israel already. They say that we will not react in a adverse way of passing of the revolution. Does that show that bullying and threats actually work and send out completely the wrong message to all israelis and palestinians who seek a peaceful resolution . Welcome i do have some differences about that. It is not just about the messages. It is about how do you get two parties that have not had a successful negotiation for so long. This is not about facing negotiations and our actions should be guided by what maximizes the chances. That is the guiding principle of our policy. [inaudible] we need to be clear in the Peace Process. Also, in regards to this resolution, i dont think its undermining end anyway. I think we will be in a strong position after all of the ability to move the Peace Process forward and over the coming weeks. So i think the prediction is not borne out by events. We heard a lot this afternoon about the conditions. Can the foreign secretary tell the house house which preconditions he regards as most unreasonable, and the israeli settlement factors as a type of preconditioned . We condemn the settlement activity on occupied land. They would not reenter negotiations about a halt to such activity. Of course someone can understand the rationale of that. But the result is that part of the preconditioned, no negotiations they placed, and it would be better to get back to the negotiations, even while a settlement in history that is the sort of notion that i am talking about. Thank you, mr. Speaker. The constable in what we are suggesting, that it should be dependent on the willingness to give access to mechanisms for implementing international law. How does that look . I dont think any honorable member has given a successful explanation could this will only be resolved if there is a successful negotiation. I havent heard anyone say any alternative that. There is a lot of willingness and desire to express opinions and to make gestures and so on. But no one has contradicted that. And if that is the case, that it requires a successful negotiation, then it requires us to encourage both parties into the negotiation to allow will need to do in the negotiation. That is a successful logic. Thank you, mr. Speaker. They played a role in obtaining a ceasefire. What do you suggest and bringing normality to this troubled region . Absolutely. There is a major opportunity for the new egypt to do that now. Last week, i congratulated him on the effort that egypt has made in the efforts on further negotiations. Trying to open up gaza and prevent the smuggling of weapons. If that can be achieved, they can continue their efforts on broader issues. No one would doubt the integrity or honesty, or the diligent ways trying to bring about peace of the middle east, but we are concerned that we are on the wrong side of the argument. We should be with honorable friends on the side of the house have referred to the nature of 6 against [inaudible] the secretary is saying that we should not place preconditions for the palestinians should not place preconditions, and yet that is precisely what we are doing. We are putting ourselves in the wrong side of the argument, i am afraid. On both sides of the house, we are on the side of the middle east peace. It is a two state solution. Our view is we should use our vote in a way that maximizes the chances of negotiations. And i know that there are strong feelings as have been illustrated. He will understand that we cannot discern in our Foreign Policy our prior opinions. There are a number of issues on which we do not agree, on a conclusion that would be reached. Mr. Speaker, given the distinct history of our country and the legacy left behind in the region, does the foreign secretary agree that we have a unique ability to show leadership and courage for the palestinians and israelis who want peace. And surely, this can be one way to signal that leadership. I ask them to think again. We have a unique responsibility and we do not have the same power as in the 1940s, although we do have it in a new and different form. We have a great responsibility as a member of the u. N. U. N. Security council. But the problem is giving hope to palestinians and israelis, that is a very important point that she made. It is important that we do that and give hope to people on both sides of that divide. And that is what i am seeking to do today. Recognizing this position to an extent, but im sorry to say i think there are a lot of fundamentals [inaudible] given that countries around the world are shifting their position, we risk losing influence on the matter, and giving standing in that region, by publicly building tomorrow, would we not be sending a signal to both sides that only a political solution is viable to the situation . I think that our inference will be very important. Whatever happens in the vote. However we both come as a member of the security council, having good relations that we do with the Palestinian Authority, also with israel in our own special relationship with the United States. Our influence will continue to be very important. That absolutely will be [inaudible] the strengthening of such palestinian opinions there is a future of a rightly desire to see the leadership making the necessary concessions to each other. Talking about the settlement based on the borders with jerusalem as a shared capital of a place for refugees. That wouldve given him real hope. So everything that we do should be cultivated to encourage that, and that was had dictated our policies to mr. Shannon, sticking to you in the house. The Palestinian Authoritys divide those to be killed in allegations of giving information to israel. One in palestine who could not have given any information whatsoever. It is obvious that palestine has not moved away from terrorism and they must confirm and not agree to enhance palestine at this point for any reason to. Com again, is the other side of the argument and some of what we have heard during the questioning. Certainly, hamas is an organization that has committed atrocities of human life. I have referred and answered to what hamas needs to do and how there is a need for that. Tomorrow in washington journal, julie rudner discusses the health care a lot of potential hurdles in state courts. Amtraks Inspector General said that by improving its invoice process, amtrak has discovered 20 million of overpayment rate the comments came during a hearing on amtraks reOrganization Plan. This is a little less than two hours. Washington worked its way up, and then he went to harvard law school. And then one of his brothers immigrated out west illinois to galena, illinois. He arrived after about a months journey by ship and stagecoach and trained. And he arrived on steamboat in the smutty mining town. They established a law practice in a log cabin. He became a very successful lawyer in galen. He ran for congress for four terms. Then he befriended abraham lincoln, obviously from illinois. And then ulysses s. Grant, also from galen. As they were on the rise, washburn was a close colleague during the civil war. And after grant was elected president , he initially appointed washington the secretary of state, and at that time, washburn became very ill and his family feared for his life. After 10 days, he cemented his recommendation for resignation. So ulysses s. Grant offered him the position of minister of france. The ambassador of france two michael hill on washburn during the franco war and the only diplomats to stay during the siege of paris, providing political and humanitarian support. Q a, sunday night at 8 00 p. M. Eastern on cspan. [inaudible conversations] in mourning, and i would like to call this hearing of the house transportation and Infrastructure Committee to order. We are pleased to conduct the School Committee oversight hearing on amtrak. The title is getting back on track. The review of amtraks virtual reorganization. So welcome, and we have one panel of witnesses today. The order of business is i will provide an Opening Statement and provide background. I will introduce mr. Elijah cummings and others who wish to be heard. Then we will turn to our witnesses and we will hear from them and go to questions and i am pleased to welcome everyone this morning. This is one of a number that we have held forth in a series of Committee Hearings on amtrak and u. S. Passenger rail power. We actually have two more scheduled. One will be on thursday, december 3, novel focus on highspeed and intercity Passenger Rail. The grant program. And then we will have the final hearing on this important subject. Thursdays 13, of december, that will be on the northeast corridor. Ironically, it is looking at some of the flood and storm damage, many of the transportation and infrastructure was impacted by a huge amount of damage. New york city is incredibly resilient. They are coming back well. They have about 95 of the city that was hit. I understand that mayor bloomberg will be in town today. The committee oversees and the transportation infrastructure i might also recall in the northeast corridor, when i became chair of the committee, in the northeast quarter, the progress we have made sense that hearing has took place, it is kind of interesting about choosing topics and we have to reflect the moment. A lot of people when they go home, they go to bed and they count sheep or read a novel. I had a great article about amtrak. I thought it was quite interesting, particularly interesting because it outlined some of the work that amtrak has been doing regarding its reorganization and the structural management the way that amtrak is structured, that led me to say that the Committee Really needed to look at where we are in this whole process and where we have been. Amtrak is a global corporation. I was intrigued by a comment that joseph boardman, as the president and ceo, meg. In 2005, the reviews have called for improvement again and the organization of management strategy. In 2010, amtrak released another report. And as a result of that 2010 report, amtrak released their fiveyear Strategic Plan of corporate goals and new Organization Structure and target that they intend to use to create more transparency and accountability. That is what we will focus on today, where we are in the process. Where we have come on. We will hear from mr. Boardman and Inspector General and a representative of workers of labor and see how they assess that progress. The Strategic Plan that is now underway, hopefully, we will hear to be fully implemented by next year. The manager of business is and we will see how that hasnt come to pass. The purpose of that is to establish performance goals that are outlined as the Strategic Plan so the profits and losses can be addressed and also accounted for. Past amtrak managers have been held accountable for what has happened in their department. That is not my evaluation. Is the evaluation of several of these studies. Also in the past, there have been amtrak attempted reorganizations without clear goals, unfortunately. I hope to better understand the amtraks Strategic Plans, corporate goals, and reorganizations. Specific progress on the reorganization. And also learn how it will improve performance accountability and cost savings. I approach this with an open mind. Amtrak has a Strategic Plan that is very important. It requires a transformative approach with what they have done in the past and it is not just rearranging the chairs on the deck of the titanic. We want to make certain that there is positive progress. Im a fiscal standpoint, everyone is focused on the fiscal cliff. Sometimes people give me a hard time for focusing on amtrak, but we have put subsidies into amtrak. Almost half a billion in subsidies and almost a billion in some of the capital improvements. Over the years, that commitment remains pretty much the same. So we do have a responsibility with taxpayer dollars to make certain, this operation, which is highly subsidized, and we did do a hearing on the past three or four hearings that we did, maybe we could put that on the board of federal subsidies. The average cost of a governmentsubsidized ticket, 46. 33. Julie and i read through the report pretty carefully, amtrak has made progress, so the losses in that great. The average ticket subsidy simply by taking 29 million passengers and dividing it by underwriting the subsidy. Other modes of mass transit. Let me say in closing, i went through the Inspector Generals report last night. Seven of the nine board members. Hiring Vice President s and managers, and as mentioned in the president ial report. Finally, this will increase federal support for that is the goal of this. Sometimes we do become harsh critics when money is lost or we see a lack of progress in some areas. But our goal is to reduce the federal reliance on federal support, not as one of the objectives in addition to finding the specifics on the progress of their Structural Organization and reorganization. I will introduce our witnesses shortly. But let me yield to mr. Cummings, who is serving as Ranking Member at this point. Into very much, mr. Chairman. It is certainly a pleasure to be here. I thank you for calling this hearing. Mr. Chairman, quite often are federal employees are unseen and unnoticed and on appreciated and on about it. I hear so much criticism about federal employees and Government Employees in general. I want to take a moment before i even start to think joyce rhodes for her 25 years of public service. On behalf of the side of the aisle. I know that all of us feel this way. [applause] more than likely this is her last hearing. She has always worked fairly with our members. With our stuff on the side, she has done everything in her power to make sure that not only the congress is served well, but that the country is served well, too. We hate to lose her td jakes said his son came to him, his son as a singer and he is about to go back to college and has tons of money it may not be the right thing for me. And his father went up to him and said, son, it is the thing that will lead you to the right thing. If its not the thing. So this has been, this has been a part of the journey. We hope it has been one that has been meaningful. [inaudible] may god bless you, and thank you so much. Thank you for your service. Of course. [applause] of the general yield for just a second. Of course, mr. Chairman. Twelve years for the committee, 25 years in congress, a quarter of a century of commitment to public service. We have great cooperation from both sides of the aisle. In order to pass the legislation. The authorization of Passenger Rail service the guideline that we go by in the authorization it wasnt for her dedication and commitment incredible knowledge, we have had the privilege to have you working with us on the majority side