Pelosi Statement on Today's Infrastructure Forum
'Yesterday, on the House floor, we honored the leadership of Thomas Jefferson's Treasury Secretary, Albert Gallatin, who 200 years ago next month, submitted a plan to Congress to develop America's infrastructure. A century later, Theodore Roosevelt convened a White House Conference on the anniversary of the Gallatin project that led to the creation of the National Park Service and helped a growing America remain a green America.
'Today, in keeping with the traditions of visionary leaders like Albert Gallatin and President Teddy Roosevelt, we gathered some of our nation's leading experts to discuss our nation's infrastructure. We thought in bold ways about how to prioritize our nation's infrastructure needs and how to fund these investments so that we can create good paying jobs for America and reinvigorate our economy.
'The need is clear and the urgency is great. The challenges our nation faces demand reinvesting in our crumbling highways, transit systems, water and sewer facilities, levees, bridges, and schools. The New Direction Congress stands ready to work in a bipartisan manner to find green solutions, such as mass transit, and modern solutions, such as expanding broadband access across theAmerica, that strengthen the infrastructure that is the backbone of our economy and our country.'
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In addition to the Democratic Members of Congress, the following experts and leaders attended the forum:
Iowa Governor Chet Culver - Chet Culver was elected Governor of Iowa in 2006 after serving as the state's Secretary of State.
Everett M. Ehrlich - Dr. Ehrlich is one of the nation's leading business economists. His firm ESC Company, combines economic analysis, business development, and communications skills to solve a wide range of business problems. He also recently served as Executive Director of the CSIS Commission on Public Infrastructure
Mark B. Florian - Mr. Florian is the chief operating officer of Public Sector and Infrastructure Banking and manages the North American Infrastructure Investment Banking business at Goldman Sachs.
Steve Heminger - Mr. Heminger is the Executive Director of the Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC). MTC is the regional transportation planning and finance agency for the nine-county San Francisco Bay Area.
Robert D. Hormats - Dr. Hormats is vice chairman of Goldman Sachs (International). Prior to his current position he served as assistant secretary of state for economic and business affairs, ambassador and deputy US trade representative, and senior deputy assistant secretary for economic and business affairs at the Department of State.
Lawrence Mishel - Dr. Mishel is the president of the Economic Policy Institute. He is principal author of a major research volume, The State of Working America (published every even-numbered year since 1988) which provides a comprehensive overview of the U.S. labor market and living standards.
Darren Walker - Darren Walker is Vice President, Foundation Initiatives of the Rockefeller Foundation where he leads the Foundation's work in the United States in New York, New Orleans, and national policy.
Tracy Wolstencroft - Tracy Wolstencroft is Partner and Managing Director at Goldman Sachs. He is a member of the firm-wide Partnership Committee, the Investment Banking Operating Committee, and is currently head of the Public Sector and Infrastructure Banking Group.