"I must confess the culmination of a dream occurred within the past two days' discussion by the Transportation and Singular Issue Committee on Resolution 9915.
"This resolution originally provided for establishment of a State Rail Authority, but wisely has been made more comprehensive, and changed to the establishment of a State Public Transit Authority.
"Rail service could be a component of this authority along with buses and other forms of public transportation.
"I am sure many of the delegates here today are aware of the various mass transit studies over the past five years, some with results never divulged to the public. Others, such as the possibility of light rail in Mesa, Tempe, and Phoenix, show parochial rather than regional concern.
"Closer to a State approach is this 1998 newspaper statement by then-governor-elect Jane Hull, who wrote, 'A vibrant growing urban area like ours should offer its citizens a variety of transportation options, especially in Maricopa and Pima counties.'
"Your committee believes the establishment of a State Public Transportation Authority to be of landmark proportions; and I therefore urge its acceptance by this body and transfer to Governor Hull and appropriate Legislature leadership."