The following statement by Edward R. Hamberger, president and CEO, Association of American Railroads, is in response to President Barack Obama’s State of the Union Address delivered this evening:

“The freight rail industry applauds President Obama for his focus on job creation, common sense regulation, and economic growth. As the President noted, rail has played an integral part of this nation’s development and prosperity, and it will continue to do so as we move ever closer to economic recovery.

"We also applaud the President’s recognition of the role private investments have in sustaining the health of our national transportation infrastructure. It has been the $480 billion in private capital spent by America’s freight railroads over the past 30 years that today makes our national freight rail network the envy of the world. These private investments ensure freight rail can connect businesses to the global marketplace, thereby sustaining vital jobs all across the country, while providing the literal foundation for increased intercity passenger and high-speed rail.

"We share President Obama’s view that moving more people and goods by rail is good for America. We look forward to working with the Administration to find ways to maintain our world class freight rail network as we strive to meet the needs of U.S. business and passengers today and in the future.”

For more information on the AAR, visit www.aar.org.