July 3, 2008 (LPAC)--In the mid 1990s, after over 40 years of destruction of the US physical economy, the American rail system had been cut by over 30% and replaced with trucking. A further assault on the rail system was launched in 1996, in Texas in particular, with a heavy attack against the Amtrak rail lines. This resulted in the 1997 takedown of the Desert Wind line, and service to many stops along the Texas Eagle line was ended.

An elderly Texas couple, fighting to save the rail system wrote to then Vice-President Al Gore, "The train has been our main-stay and your administration is killing our Texas Eagle….This makes us sick...What can you do to save our Eagle?"

Al Gore was quick to respond: "Dear Mr. and Mrs. Delgadillo, Thank you for your letter regarding the protection of the Texas Eagle. I share your view that the urgent problem of species extinction and the conservation of biological diversity should be addressed. The first step in saving any plant or animal from extinction is to become aware of and respect the fragile ecosystems that make up our environment...I look forward to working with you for the future of our planet."