For Immediate Release:

Thursday, May 23, 2002

(WASHINGTON, D.C.) – U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-Wash.) today applauded Representative Rick Larsen for his work to significantly improve the Republican pipeline safety bill in the U.S. House of Representatives. The bill's passage today by the House full Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure brings legislation one-step closer to reality.

Statement by Senator Murray:

"The House Committee's action today on pipeline safety is as important as it is overdue. We are now closer to improving pipeline safety than we have been in three years. Enormous credit for the House's progress goes to Representative Rick Larsen for his determined efforts to bring pipeline safety to a vote.

Congressman Larsen worked in a bipartisan fashion to reach this important milestone and the people of Northwest Washington, like Americans everywhere, owe him a debt of thanks for his dedication to this critical safety issue.

Representative Larsen's efforts have brought the House bill closer in line with Senate legislation, and I am optimistic that this will make it easier to pass strong safety legislation once it goes to Conference. Thanks to Rick's hard work and leadership, our communities may soon get the protections and safeguards that are so critically needed."