A joint resolution to express appreciation for the benefit brought to the Nation by Amtrak during its twenty years of existence.
Public Law 102-38 · S.J.Res. 98 · 102nd Congress · began in the Senate
Signed by George H. W. Bush (R) on May 3, 1991 · Transportation and Public Works
Sponsor: Sen. James Exon (D-NE)
Cosponsors (43): Sen. Brock Adams, Sen. Daniel Akaka,
Passage votes
- HouseUnanimous consent
- SenateVoice vote
Data notes
The final version of the law, as each chamber passed it. A chamber that passed it by voice vote or unanimous consent has no count. “Method not stated” means the record does not say how the chamber voted. Where the record has a member-by-member vote, the “Who voted for it” section shows who voted yea.
Summary
The Congressional Research Service’s plain-language summary of what the law does.
Recognizes the role of the National Railroad Passenger Corporation (Amtrak) in preserving a national rail passenger system and providing Americans with an energy efficient, environmentally preferable transportation alternative. Declares that the need for a balanced national transportation system dictates that transportation planners consider the many advantages of improved rail passenger services as they look to addressing national and regional transportation concerns.
Committees
The committees the bill was sent to, and what each did with it.
Data notes
A committee links to its page only where it exists in the current Congress; older and renamed committees are named without a link.
Timeline
From introduction to signing, newest first: the committees, the floor and the president. 11 actions.
- May 3, 1991Became lawBecame law · Became Public Law No: 102-38.
- Became lawBecame law · Signed by President.
- Apr 26, 1991PresidentPresident · Presented to President.
- Apr 24, 1991FloorFloor · Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
- FloorFloor · On passage Passed without objection.
- FloorFloor · Mr. Swift asked unanimous consent to take from the Speaker's table and consider.
- FloorFloor · Considered by unanimous consent.
- Apr 23, 1991FloorFloor · Passed Senate without amendment and with a preamble by Voice Vote.
- CommitteeCommittee · Discharged from Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee
- Mar 20, 1991CommitteeCommittee · Referred to Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee
- IntroducedIntroduced · Introduced in the Senate
Data notes
Shows the introduction, each committee and subcommittee step the source dates (referral, hearings, markup, report, discharge), and the floor, conference, presidential and became-law steps. Calendar placements, messages between the chambers, amendments and committee report numbers are not shown for laws before the 108th Congress. Two entries the source lists twice are shown once.
Official record
The bill’s full text and every action, including introduction and committee steps, are on Congress.gov. Data through Oct 7, 2026.