H.J.R. 20

1

RESOLUTION URGING HAZARDOUS
2 MATERIALS NOT BE TRANSPORTED BY
3 TRAIN DURING THE OLYMPICS
4 2002 GENERAL SESSION
5 STATE OF UTAH
6 Sponsor: Fred J. Fife
7 Trisha S. Beck
8 Cindy Beshear
9 Judy Ann Buffmire
10 Don E. Bush
11 Carl W. Duckworth
Brent H. Goodfellow
Neil A. Hansen
Neal B. Hendrickson
Eric K Hutchings
Patricia W. Jones
David Litvack
Steven R. Mascaro
Ty McCartney
Carol Spackman Moss
LaWanna Lou Shurtliff

12 This joint resolution of the Legislature urges the Utah Olympic Public Safety Command to
13 prohibit the transportation of hazardous materials by rail through Salt Lake City during the
14 2002 Olympic Winter Games.
15 Be it resolved by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
16 WHEREAS, extraordinary measures have been taken to ensure that public safety will be
17 a top priority at the 2002 Olympic Winter Games;
18 WHEREAS, since the September 11, 2001, attacks on America, security concerns at the
19 2002 Olympic Winter Games have drawn international attention;
20 WHEREAS, more than 1,000,000 visitors and 3,700 athletes and officials from 80 nations
21 plan to attend the Games, and many local residents, including volunteers, plan to participate in the
22 Games;
23 WHEREAS, safety preparations for the 2002 Olympic Winter Games should include
24 measures to prevent the threat posed on the railway system, whether by accident or terrorist intent;
25 WHEREAS, statistics show that a train accident happens every 90 minutes in the United
26 States;
27 WHEREAS, a train accident involving the release of hazardous materials that results in the
28 evacuation of the surrounding area happens every two weeks;

29 WHEREAS, Union Pacific Railroad, the nation's largest carrier of hazardous materials,
30 operates trains through Salt Lake City not far from The Gateway and Olympic Legacy Plaza;
31 WHEREAS, though training has taken place to respond in the event of a catastrophe,
32 further preventive measures should be taken to protect the community;
33 WHEREAS, the Utah Olympic Public Safety Command has been granted statutory
34 authority to take action to provide a safe Olympic environment;
35 WHEREAS, hazardous materials should not be transported by rail through Salt Lake City
36 during the 2002 Olympic Winter Games;
37 WHEREAS, by prohibiting the transport of hazardous materials by rail through Salt Lake
38 City during the 2002 Olympic Winter Games, the Utah Olympic Public Safety Command would
39 improve the security of the Salt Lake City area, its residents, and guests, and demonstrate to the
40 world that every precaution necessary has been taken to ensure a safe and secure Olympics; and
41 WHEREAS, this action will greatly increase the atmosphere of safety surrounding the
42 Olympics and will reassure visitors and the citizens of Utah that the 2002 Olympic Winter Games
43 will truly be the safest Games ever:
44 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of the state of Utah urges
45 the Utah Olympic Public Safety Command to prohibit the transport of hazardous materials by rail
46 through Salt Lake City during the 2002 Olympic Winter Games.
47 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this resolution be sent to the Utah Olympic
48 Public Safety Command, the Salt Lake Organizing Committee for the Winter Olympic Games of
49 2002, the United States Olympic Committee, and the International Olympic Committee.




Legislative Review Note
as of 1-28-02 12:34 PM

A limited legal review of this legislation raises no obvious constitutional or statutory concerns.

Office of Legislative Research and General Counsel