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| Jonathan Tisch |
ANAHEIM, CA – In a keynote address delivered to the 11th
Annual Southern California Transportation Summit, “Mobility 21,” Jonathan M. Tisch (top right photo),
Chairman of Loews Hotels & Resorts, called on transportation and
infrastructure policy leaders to reach beyond traditional financing models and
partnerships, unite with travel industry and private sector leaders, and build
“the world-class infrastructure that America so desperately needs.”
Addressing a packed
audience of nearly 1,000 transportation experts, policymakers and business
leaders, Tisch said that limited government budgets and Washington gridlock
have combined to stall critical infrastructure upgrades around the country.
“The old model of
relying solely on tax increases or more municipal debt, or a helping hand from
the federal government, is broken,” said Tisch.
Echoing the summit’s
theme, “We’re All In This Together,” he implored the audience to consider new,
innovative public-private partnerships to help finance infrastructure projects,
citing notable models from Canada to Chicago.
He also applauded
innovative ideas such as America Fast
Forward – a proposal to leverage local revenues and federal loans to
fast-track construction on vital infrastructure.
While acknowledging
the great costs of investing in infrastructure, Tisch emphasized that the cost
of inaction would be even higher.
He argued that unless our country commits itself to making
the necessary investments to improve our travel infrastructure – particularly
our aviation infrastructure – we will lag our economic competitors around the world,
and miss out on the economic benefits and new jobs that infrastructure
investments could create.
In closing, Tisch
said, “We must join together to meet this challenge,” telling the audience of
transportation leaders, “You have allies and partners in the travel industry
that are with you every step of the way.
We are all in this together.”
For a complete copy
of the company’s news release, please contact:
Jen Farley
212-521-2812
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