A speech by U.S. Congressman Les AuCoin titled "The Pioneer Comes Through" given on the House floor on January 28, 1980. In his speech, Congressman AuCoin described Amtrak's helpful role in keeping the Amtrak Pioneer passenger train open and thus a lifeline open for Oregonians during the January 1980 snowstorms that affected Oregon and Washington. This is one of a collection of digitized objects from the Les AuCoin Papers (MS.147) at the Pacific University Archives. AuCoin served in the Oregon House of Representatives (1971-1975) and in the United States House of Representatives from Oregon's 1st District (1975-1993).
Congressional testimony of U.S. Congressman Les AuCoin advocating for Amtrak, formally known as the National Railroad Passenger Corporation. He described Amtrak as one of mass transportation's "pleasant alternatives" in the wake of the gasoline crisis of the 1970s. As part of his testimony, Congressman AuCoin shared an article from the Bend, Oregon newspaper, The Bulletin. The Bulletin article, titled "More Drivers Now Opting for Train Trips" was written by staff writer Ila Grant Hopper. This is one of a collection of digitized objects from the Les AuCoin Papers (MS.147) at the Pacific University Archives. AuCoin served in the Oregon House of Representatives (1971-1975) and in the United States House of Representatives from Oregon's 1st District (1975-1993).