February 20, 2008

To Whom It May Concern-

The Federal Aid Act of 1965 helped establish a transportation system has created unprecedented growth within America. Accessibility to jobs, goods and services has transformed America into a massive transient country reliable on its transportation system. However, the history of the development of the transportation system left many scars, primarily borne by poor minority communities; communities that were wiped out such as Hamtrack, Michigan, where 1,800 black families where displaced for the construction of I-75 from 1959-1965, to Overtown, Florida, a black community in Miami-Dade county where over 50 percent of the population and a third of the businesses vanished due to the construction of I-95.

Transportation planning has evolved over the years, and environmental considerations are being vastly considered in the development of new projects. However, that has caused a massive slowing in the construction of major roads, as less than 1 percent of the interstate system has been built in the past 10 years. From an industry prospective, the transportation and logistics industry is ranked among the top growth industries in the nation. The need for jobs from truck drivers to logisticians is at an all time high, and due to the complexity of the industry, traditionally disadvantaged populations are in prime position to take advantage.

So now, some 50 years later, the country has come to an impasse. Congestion and lack of funding has created bottlenecks across the country, and for the first time since 1956, transportation legislation will be the most influential in year’s past. Increases in fuel taxes, tolling of existing roads, changes in truck size and weight, increasing transit subsidies etc…. all are on the table for consideration.

 As the reauthorization horizon beckons, education and entrepreneurship becomes the currency of the future. During this time of opportunity, a collective voice is necessary to promote programs and activities to boost minority-owned businesses in the transportation industry to sustain economic empowerment within disadvantaged populations.

Therefore, the Demarche Alliance is requesting your assistance. The Alliance is developing a policy statement based on the needs of minorities in the transportation industry. Therefore, we need your input. Please logon to www.demarchealliance.com to express your needs and concerns or call 202-466-0994 for more information. This is your opportunity to have your voice heard, so please take advantage.

Regards,

Eulois Cleckley, CEO

Demarche Alliance Inc.