Gov. Wes Moore Delivers Remarks On Investments In Baltimore Public Transit

3 months ago

On Friday, Gov. Wes Moore (D-MD) delivered remarks on Baltimore public transit investments.

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Transcript

00:00Hey, I want to see some excitement.

00:02Woo!

00:03Woo!

00:04Woo!

00:05Woo!

00:06Woo!

00:07Woo!

00:08Woo!

00:09All right, good morning.

00:10I'm Holly Arnold, MTA Administrator.

00:12A little over one year ago today,

00:14we gathered to celebrate Governor Westmore relaunching

00:18the Baltimore Red Line.

00:19And I'm delighted to see us come together again

00:21to celebrate the progress of this project.

00:24So thank you for continuing to be a part of it.

00:27We're grateful to be here at the Bayview

00:29campus of Johns Hopkins today.

00:30I want to thank our gracious host, Kevin Sowers,

00:33president of the Johns Hopkins Health System,

00:36and Jennifer Nichols, president of Johns Hopkins Bayview

00:39Medical Center.

00:40MTA's relationship with Johns Hopkins spans decades

00:43and is an important partnership for the Baltimore region.

00:46Before we get to the heart of what brings us here today,

00:48I'd like to welcome the many distinguished guests who

00:50are part of this historic occasion.

00:52First of all, Governor Westmore, thank you for your leadership

00:56in bringing us all together to advance transportation

00:58for the Baltimore region.

00:59Thank you.

01:00Thank you.

01:05Lieutenant Governor Aruna Miller,

01:07thank you for sharing your transportation expertise

01:09and leadership and your tireless support for transit.

01:12Thank you.

01:18Transportation Secretary Paul Wietefeld,

01:20we're so glad to be at a count on your experience

01:22across our transportation projects.

01:28I'd also like to briefly recognize a few others who have made this historic event possible.

01:34We would not be here today without the ongoing partnership of our amazing federal delegation.

01:40Senators Cardin and Van Hollen, Representatives Sarbanes and Mfume tirelessly advocate for

01:44transit and the Baltimore region.

01:47They couldn't be with us today because they needed to be taking care of business in D.C.,

01:50but we deeply appreciate their ongoing support and we want to acknowledge the staff here

01:54representing them.

02:02I'm also grateful for Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott, Baltimore County Executive Johnny Olaszewski,

02:08and all of those who are working to make the Baltimore region thrive.

02:11Thank you for your support and for making the power of public transit a priority.

02:21We have an amazing number of supporters for the project, and I'd like to recognize just

02:25a few.

02:26I'm not going to name everyone because I'd be here all day, but I want to call out specifically

02:29the newly formed Redline Community Advisory Team, the Redline Interns, the Baltimore Regional

02:41Transit Commission, the Greater Baltimore Committee, Baltimore Metropolitan Council,

02:44the Greater Washington Partnership, and our many advocacy groups including Transit Choices,

02:49the Baltimore Transit Equity Coalition, and CMTA.

02:52Thank you all.

02:59So thank you for your support and for making the power of public transit a priority.

03:03Last summer, we relaunched the Baltimore Redline.

03:05Since then, we've worked hard to move the project forward.

03:08I'm so happy to be back with you today to share that progress that we've made.

03:12It's my pleasure to introduce the person who has been instrumental in restarting this transformational

03:16project.

03:17Governor Moore, last summer, you challenged MTA to move the Baltimore Redline forward

03:21quickly but with strong community engagement.

03:23Our team has leaned into that challenge, and we appreciate your strong support and guidance.

03:27Please join me in welcoming Maryland Governor Wes Moore.

03:32Good morning.

03:35How we doing?

03:42It's a good day.

03:44This is a beautiful day, and this is a hard-fought day.

03:47And listen, things do not just happen.

03:50Things are made to happen.

03:52And this is the team that made today happen.

03:55Congratulations.

03:56This is a day that we will celebrate for generations to come.

04:00Thank you.

04:04And Administrator Arnold, I just want to thank you.

04:07You know, we talk about people who, without them, today would not be here.

04:09You are one of those people.

04:11And so thank you for your diligence.

04:13Thank you for your community focus.

04:14Thank you for your leadership.

04:16And thank you for everything you do to make sure that everybody is seen in this city and

04:20this state.

04:21Congratulations, and thank you so much, Administrator.

04:27And this is a great day for Baltimore, y'all, and it's a great day for Maryland.

04:33And it's important to understand that to get here, it took a journey.

04:39It took a journey of many steps, a lot of conversations, a lot of hard work, a lot of

04:44push, and a lot of determination.

04:47Today did not just happen.

04:50You all made it happen.

04:53Because this journey, to understand it, you also have to understand what it took to get

04:58here.

05:00Because over two decades ago, leaders from around the city and around the state and leaders

05:07from every single sector in our society got together and first started working on the

05:14first iteration of the Red Line Project.

05:18Over two decades ago, the work began with an understanding that you cannot have economic

05:25mobility if you do not have physical mobility, and with a clear understanding that there

05:30are parts of our state that had not been seen, nor supported, nor invested in, and

05:40that it would take every single sector and person to be able to play their role in order

05:47for us to advance this mission.

05:51Over two decades ago, people started working because they knew that Baltimore City has

05:56hundreds of thousands of jobs, but jobs that people could not access easily.

06:02They knew that we have some of the best colleges, some of the best museums, some of the best

06:07hospitals, some of the best theaters in the world, that Baltimore is the place to be.

06:14But that for so many people in Baltimore, they could not get access to those assets.

06:21They knew that our economy is stable, but it was not dynamic, and that our GDP had been

06:28falling behind cities like Washington and Philadelphia for years, and mobility was the

06:35way to address that.

06:38So they got together, they started working on a plan to help build transit that can move

06:44people east-west in Baltimore.

06:49And then after years of planning, after countless hours, after countless partnerships, and millions

06:58already spent, our predecessor pulled the plug and said that this was not needed.

07:10For who?

07:11I'm not sure exactly who he's speaking about.

07:15Because I know for the people of this city and for the people of this state, it was very

07:17much needed.

07:20So when we took office, the lieutenant governor and our entire administration, we knew that

07:26bringing the red line back to life wasn't just an opportunity, it was an obligation.

07:34And that we weren't going to pass the ball.

07:37That we weren't going to equivocate.

07:40And we weren't going to just hope that someone else would solve this problem for us.

07:47But in this moment, we were going to be bold.

07:52And today, we proudly announce that the new Baltimore red line will run on light rail

07:59transit.

08:04And listen, this is the right choice for Baltimore.

08:16It's the fair choice for Baltimore.

08:19And it's the right and the fair choice for the state of Maryland.

08:29And here's the beautiful thing about light rail.

08:31It speaks to both Baltimore's legacy of leadership in the last century, and it reaffirms our

08:39newfound leadership in this century.

08:43Because sometimes it is easy to forget that Baltimore City used to be on the leading edge

08:50of public transit.

08:52The first commercially operated streetcar in America began its operation in Baltimore.

09:01It wasn't New York, it wasn't Philly, it wasn't Detroit, Baltimore.

09:14And today, we will reclaim the mantle of innovation.

09:19And it's going to have direct impact on the everyday lives of our neighbors.

09:28It will help the single parent who needs to commute across town to get to work.

09:34It will help the high school student who needs to get to school in another part of the city.

09:40It will help Marylanders of all backgrounds travel from where they live to where opportunity

09:46lies.

09:48And this decision won't just help individual people and families, it will generate enormous

09:54economic growth that will resonate not just in the city of Baltimore, but all throughout

09:59the region.

10:01Because, and let's get specific, the Red Line will create over 5,000 new jobs in its initial

10:13construction phase alone.

10:20The Red Line will drive over $10 billion in economic activity from the construction alone.

10:29Yet the Red Line will help to deliver more than $6 billion of income for local workers.

10:38So this is a big deal, and we couldn't have gotten to this point without all the leaders

10:44that we have here today.

10:47I want to thank our fantastic Lieutenant Governor, Aruna Miller, for her work.

10:56I want to thank our extraordinary Secretary of Transportation, Paul Wiedefeld, for the

11:00work that he continues to do to lead us so violently.

11:06I want to thank Administrator Arnold for all of her leadership and work in making this

11:10happen.

11:13I want to thank all the members of the Moore-Miller administration who have just put countless

11:18hours and effort into making sure that when we said this project needs to get done, they

11:25said, oh, it'll get done.

11:27I want to thank our amazing local partners inside this work.

11:33Mayor Scott, kind Executive Oluszewski, you all have been remarkable partners since day

11:39one on this, and we are so grateful to have you here because this celebrates a full-circle

11:44moment that we got a lot done and we got a lot more to do.

11:47We're grateful for both of y'all, and thank you so much.

11:53Thank you, Governor Salas, and the work that you all continue to do over here, not just

11:58at Hopkins, and the work throughout, which is continuing to understand and continue to

12:03place humanity inside this work, and we are so grateful for you, and that's the baddest

12:07red bow tie that I have seen all day long.

12:10I love it.

12:12And all of our federal partners, our congressional delegation, who have made sure that this would

12:20get moved to the front of the line, and also, I would be remiss if I didn't give a special

12:27shout out to President Biden, to Vice President Harris, to all the members of the Biden-Harris

12:34administration who have made infrastructure a top priority for Baltimore, for Maryland,

12:40and for this country.

12:49Most importantly, I want to thank Baltimore.

12:55I want to thank Baltimore for always believing in Baltimore, and always believing that this

13:04was going to be an important moment for our city to lead.

13:10And I want to spend just a second speaking directly to Baltimore, because when I say

13:16this is going to be Maryland's decade, and I want to be clear, when I say this is Maryland's

13:19decade, people before are like, oh, that sounds cute, but now we got receipts.

13:23This really is going to be Maryland's decade.

13:25People see this now.

13:26We weren't playing.

13:28But in order for this to be Maryland's decade, it's got to be Baltimore's time.

13:34And when people say that, of course you'd say that.

13:37You know, you're a Baltimorean.

13:39I don't say that because I'm a homer.

13:42I say that because I'm very good at math.

13:46It's the state's largest city.

13:49You cannot have a thriving state if the state's largest city isn't thriving.

13:56And this is a time that I know for a lot of folks in Baltimore that we've been told over

14:03and over that we need to temper our expectations, that I know that we've been told that, you

14:09know what, we just need to wait our turn.

14:12We all get too much, that sometimes we oftentimes don't even dare to be hopeful because we know

14:21it's too painful to watch hope pulled from you, that we know sometimes it's sometimes

14:28just easier to be subtle and humble and not to dream.

14:38Why I just want to say this to Baltimore.

14:42Those days are done.

14:45We're dreaming big.

14:47And we're getting big things done because we are getting them done together.

14:53That the relationship that we have between Annapolis and Baltimore has never been stronger.

15:00That we believe in partnership.

15:03We believe in the remarkable work that's being done in Baltimore.

15:06Mr. Mayor, I just want to say thank you for all the work that you continue to do for our

15:09city and County Executive, all the work that you continue to do for Baltimore County.

15:15That we stand united and that partnership produces progress and nothing else does.

15:24And so we've chosen to work in partnership, to be able to do big things like invest in

15:30our neighborhoods and invest in community and invest in job training and invest in public

15:39safety.

15:41And it's the reason why right now, not just in Baltimore, but across the state of Maryland,

15:46we now have record levels of unemployment in the state of Maryland, record levels of

15:51drops in homicides and violent crime, record increases in public safety, record increases

15:57in economic growth and economic advancement.

16:00And we are just getting started.

16:09That we've shown we're not going to make choices and particularly make false political choices.

16:16So we can say things like, yes, we are going to make sure that the ALE's first place Baltimore

16:24the way that we're going to keep the Orioles in Baltimore for 30 years.

16:29And we are going to invest to make sure that Preakness and horse racing stays in the city

16:34of Baltimore, but it's not just about the horse racing.

16:37We're also going to make sure we're investing in park Heights too.

16:46That this is a time that we're going to make this moment matter, that this is a time that

16:51people are going to remember that we chose to work together.

16:58And the results were that we could do big things.

17:03And so from this point forward, we will rally, we will rally around the banner of this new

17:12insignia specifically designed for the newest chapter of the red line project.

17:20And in fact, I'd like to invite our Lieutenant Governor up so we can display exactly what

17:25this looks like.

17:28Drum roll please.

17:33Drum roll.

17:36All right.

17:39One, two, three.

17:50This is not just the logo, this is the banner of promise.

17:59All right.

18:02For those who watch progress die, for those who became frustrated because they weren't

18:09sure that we could actually get big things done, to those who want to live in skepticism

18:16and cynicism, I say this, sit by, watch us work and watch us win because we're going

18:30to win together.

18:33This is a time when Maryland is going to choose to do big things.

18:40This is our decade y'all.

18:43And this project is going to be a core reason why.

18:48And so I'm honored and delighted to bring up my partner inside this work.

18:53And I tell you, when I first asked Aruna Miller to be my running mate on this ticket, and

19:01I knew that this was something we wanted to get done, I have to say the fact that she

19:05was a transportation engineer, that helped out quite a bit.

19:10And this, this moment and this journey, it could not have happened without her.

19:16And I could not be more grateful to have her as a partner inside this work.

19:19Everybody, our spectacular Lieutenant Governor, Aruna Miller.

19:24Well, good afternoon, everyone.

19:36You know, I got to tell you, if that's the reason Governor you chose me to be Lieutenant

19:40Governor, here's one for the nerds of the world.

19:43Okay.

19:44Love it.

19:46And what a beautiful logo this is, right?

19:50And that is what's fitting for a beautiful city of Charm City.

19:53You deserve nothing but the very best.

19:56Now I've noticed on the logo, there's, I don't know, it looks like a V up there, V for victory,

20:02right?

20:03That's what this is leading to.

20:05So again, thank you all for being here this afternoon.

20:09And as was stated earlier, one year ago this month, Governor Moore and I stood here to

20:16reaffirm our commitment to the people of Baltimore, that the red line will get the green light.

20:24And today we stand here to say, we have listened to the community, the people have spoken,

20:32and Baltimore wants the red line to bring light rail to Baltimore.

20:39The long overdue transit system that will provide access to employment, education, social

20:47inclusion while reducing disparities, a vital transportation system that the city has long

20:55awaited and rightfully deserves.

20:59Baltimore, with its history marked by red lining, now has the opportunity to uplift

21:08its future by the red line.

21:12Public transit is an instrument of freedom, equity, environmental justice, and the quality

21:20of life.

21:22The red line will reverse economic struggle and provide Marylanders with the freedom to

21:28connect to jobs and opportunity from east to west Baltimore.

21:34The red line will ensure easy access for people of all ages, physical abilities, and

21:42socioeconomic backgrounds.

21:45And the red line will decrease air pollution, greenhouse gas emissions.

21:51I spent my career as a transportation engineer in order to improve the quality of life for

21:57our residents.

21:58And the red line will allow Marylanders to enjoy reduced travel times and more time with

22:06their loved ones.

22:08Governor Mora and I have a guiding principle in everything that we do, and that is to leave

22:15no one behind.

22:17This is our North Star.

22:20But the reality is that too many Marylanders have been left behind as a result of political

22:26decisions that denied them access to a reliable transit system.

22:33In 2015, as a state delegate from Montgomery County, I was proud to join the Baltimore

22:41delegation in advocating for the red line project.

22:46And yet the project was canceled.

22:49And today I'm honored to stand with Governor Mora, our federal, state, and local public

22:54leaders, Cat, Lucia, who's, you know, head of Cat there, and the people of Baltimore

23:04as we move forward carrying the hopes and dreams of countless Marylanders eager for

23:10progress and opportunity.

23:13It's not lost on us that just a few short miles from here is another impressive engineering

23:21feat that is about to unfold, and that is the reconstruction of our iconic Key Bridge.

23:30Two transportation projects that will transform Baltimore, Maryland's largest city, two bold

23:39ventures that will remind the nation that we are Maryland Tough and Baltimore Strong.

23:48So to the people of Baltimore, Governor Mora and I are dedicated to bringing you transit

23:55justice because you deserve nothing less.

24:00Now it's my pleasure to introduce our next speaker, a lifelong Baltimorean who has devoted

24:07his life to Baltimore.

24:10And Governor Mora and I couldn't be more proud of his leadership and the work that his and

24:16his team at MDOT are providing to the people of Maryland.

24:21Ladies and gentlemen, let me introduce Secretary Paul Wiettefeld of MDOT.

24:27Good afternoon, and thank you, Lieutenant Governor.

24:36Governor Mora, you may not remember this, but about 18 months ago when you interviewed

24:40me there was a to-do list, and number one on that to-do list was the red line.

24:45So this is a major milestone in chipping away at that to-do list.

24:49And you also mentioned the two-decade history with this project.

24:53That's why this project is personal to me and to many in this room that I dealt with

24:56two decades ago.

24:58We had this project, right?

25:00This project has been needed, it's been needed for decades.

25:02People know the east-west movement of Baltimore City, anyone who's grew up in Baltimore City,

25:06they know the difficulty of particularly moving by transit east-west in this city, and it

25:11is needed.

25:12And it's needed today.

25:13But more importantly, or just as importantly, it's needed for the future.

25:18That's what this is about.

25:20It's about the future of Baltimore City and the Baltimore region, because it supports

25:23everything that we're trying to achieve here.

25:25Not just in mobility, but economic growth, environmental quality, equity, that's what

25:30this project's really about.

25:32So thank you, sir, and thank you to the entire team for everything they've done to get us

25:35this far.

25:36We've got a lot of work to do, and we're ready to go.

25:39We're moving.

25:40The entire team are fantastic, and we're going to get the next phase of this done, and then

25:43we're going to get the federal money, and then we're going to build this thing.

25:46So thank you, sir.

25:47With that, I'm going to introduce the next speaker, great county executive, Johnny L.

25:51I think it's afternoon.

26:02Good afternoon, y'all.

26:03Good afternoon.

26:04Thank you, Mr. Secretary, for your partnership.

26:07We've got a governor who's got very good taste in cabinet officials and in team members.

26:12So Governor Moore, Lieutenant Governor Miller, Secretary Rietveld, Administrator Arnold,

26:19President Sowers, community partners, including Lucia and Jennifer, and my point guard, Mayor

26:24Scott, we are all excited to be here for today's announcement.

26:30And while we are here celebrating today's announcement, we also know that we could and

26:35we should be celebrating instead with a ribbon-cutting.

26:40We know that there were short-sighted decisions of a prior administration that has derailed

26:45our progress, but fortunately, after being set back a decade and knowing that our people

26:52deserve better, we have a governor and we have a team who understands the need to get

26:57us back on track, figuratively and literally.

27:01So Governor, I want to commend you and your team for working with myself, with Mayor Scott,

27:08with community partners to make sure that we not only restart the red line, but I also

27:13want to applaud your decision today for choosing to make sure that is also being done by rail.

27:19We think that is right by our riders.

27:21We know it will improve ridership and will make sure we maximize the benefits of having

27:26that east-west connectivity.

27:29We also know it puts Baltimore and the Baltimore region on par with our friends and partners

27:33in the D.C. region who have a robust, strong economic driver in their metro system.

27:39And I want to applaud you, Governor, and your team for working closely with us.

27:43That says even though we've lost a decade, we're not losing sight of what has changed

27:47in that decade.

27:48So thank you for working with us on the eastern extension so that after we rebuild what is

27:52already needed, we look at not just Hopkins, but also employment centers like Trade Point

27:58Atlantic.

27:59And collectively, we are making sure that the entire Baltimore region, nearly 2 million

28:04people, are connected to education, to healthcare, to workforce opportunities.

28:11We share your vision of a comprehensive, interconnected transportation network.

28:15We applaud you not only, again, for putting this back on track, but for doing it with

28:20rail and with our support and with the involvement of local partners, state officials, our incredible

28:27federal delegation, and not forgetting the community along the way.

28:32This is a momentous day.

28:33We have a lot of work to do, but we're making incredible progress.

28:36And I know that the next speaker shares in that excitement.

28:41He is someone who is a son of Baltimore, who believes in the promise of Baltimore's future,

28:47and someone I've had the privilege and honor of working alongside as we build, together,

28:53recognizing that we rise and fall as one region, Mayor of Baltimore, Brandon Scott.

28:59Good afternoon, everyone.

29:09We are celebrating the red line.

29:10We will be doing better than that.

29:12Good afternoon, everyone.

29:15Today is a very important day in Baltimore's history.

29:19For years and years and years and years, Mr. Governor, we've talked about the importance

29:25of the red line.

29:26A lot of that talk was about the crippling effect that the original cancellation of the

29:31red line had on the city of Baltimore.

29:34Of course, that was done by the former governor, who took Baltimore off the map, literally

29:41and figuratively, as he decided that the people here didn't need this project, because

29:47in his eyes, the people here didn't matter.

29:50He thought we didn't need public transit, that it wasn't worthwhile for people who work

29:55here at Bayview to be able to easily get across town, or there was no reason to help city

30:01residents and county residents more easily enjoy all the great things that Baltimore

30:06City has to offer.

30:08Just because he thought that, all of us paid the price.

30:14Then we had an election, and exactly almost a year ago, we gathered on the other end of

30:20the red line in West Baltimore to proclaim that the red line will be coming back.

30:26Here we are today, announcing today that we will be building a red line, and building

30:31it the right way, Mr. Governor, with light rail, a proven and beloved part of Baltimore's

30:37transportation system already.

30:39In my mind, clearly, that's the right choice, and I want to thank everyone who's been a

30:44part of getting us to that point, because we all know it's been a long, long road to

30:49get to this announcement.

30:51Mr. Governor, Madam Lieutenant Governor, Secretary, Madam Administrator, Mr. County Executive,

30:56our wonderful congressional delegation, to the President and Vice President, thank you.

31:02Because at the end of the day, it sends a message to the residents of Baltimore that

31:07we, again, are a priority.

31:10But for the most of us, that prioritization never went anywhere.

31:13As you said, Mr. Governor, Baltimoreans always fight for Baltimore, and we're going to continue

31:19to do that each and every day.

31:21But we couldn't do it alone, and it's critical that the leaders in Annapolis share our love

31:27for this city.

31:29And that's what we finally have in Governor Moore, after having a governor who clearly

31:34despised the city with every time he had a press conference.

31:38Mr. Governor, on behalf of all of Baltimore, especially those who come from parts of Baltimore

31:44that have been historically forgotten, thank you.

31:47And as a former high school student that made that trek from west to east and back again

31:52every day, I can assure you that with your commitment to the Red Line, Baltimoreans feel

31:59seen and valued.

32:01Today's announcement shows that the time for talk is over, and the time to actually move

32:06forward with a plan that works for all Baltimoreans is here.

32:10We need this kind of investment.

32:13We need accessible transit that makes life easier for those who live, work, and play

32:19here, and we know people love to come here to play, especially when the Orioles are in

32:24first place.

32:27Only when we realize this kind of equitable investment that looks toward the future of

32:33when our city is in full bloom of this renaissance that is already happening here in Baltimore,

32:39despite what some folks might want to tell you, Mr. Governor, and you know I have the

32:43numbers in front of me, when you have a 34% reduction in homicides on top of a 20% reduction

32:49in homicides, when you have a 31% reduction in non-fatal shootings, you can see that Baltimore

33:01is not only getting better, we are leading the way for cities around the country.

33:05And I don't want it to be lost on anyone that this Red Line will bring opportunity for prosperity

33:12to West Baltimore where the shells of homes that are the product of Red Lining stand today.

33:19That message that is being sent to those people, to those families who were displaced by a

33:24highway that doesn't exist, who knew that their neighborhood was devalued just because

33:29of the color of their skin, that they are now going to have a 21st century transportation

33:34system built in their neighborhood, Mr. Governor, sends shockwaves to the culture of West Baltimore.

33:41And I could not be happier to be here today to celebrate this project.

33:44I'm thrilled to take this step, but I can't wait to take that first ride.

33:49Thank you very much.

33:50And with that, I will introduce my near and dear good friend, President Kevin Sowers from

33:55John Hopkins.

33:56Thank you very much.

33:57Good afternoon.

33:58Listen, Mr. Governor, I promise you in the near future, you will be able to see the

34:10President.

34:11And in the near future, you will have a red bow tie.

34:14Listen, I want to thank you all for being here and the opportunity to host this event

34:20today.

34:21And on behalf of Dr. DeWeese, who is over here, he's the Dean of Johns Hopkins School

34:26of Medicine and also the CEO of Johns Hopkins Medicine.

34:30I also want to bring greetings to the Governor, Governor Miller, Lieutenant Governor Miller,

34:36Secretary Wiedefeld, MTA Administrator Arnold, my dear friend, Johnny O., County Executive,

34:43and colleague and friend, and working through his challenges and opportunities in the city,

34:49Mayor Brandon Scott.

34:50You know, we are proud to be a part of the Baltimore community.

34:54And we are honored to be a part of today's event about community and about community

35:00connection.

35:01In so many ways, and in our society, it's increasingly connected through this thing

35:06called virtual means.

35:10But to truly advance as a city and as a state, the people of Baltimore need more readily

35:16accessible transit systems that connect across real world sites.

35:22As the President of Johns Hopkins Health System and Executive Vice President of Johns Hopkins

35:26Medicine, I am excited to be a part of today's event as it signals that we are one step closer

35:34to a time when our patients and their loved ones will find it easier to get to their appointments.

35:40We are one step closer to ensuring that our staff members have safe, reliable means to

35:47get to and from our campuses each and every day.

35:50And we are one step closer to realizing this transformational change that will propel us

35:57forward together.

35:59This is particularly important for our future because healthcare organizations across this

36:04great nation are facing an unprecedented crisis in recruiting workers at skill levels and

36:11in all areas of expertise.

36:14Providing a safe and efficient transportation system across this region will support recruitment

36:19and retention efforts across all industries and allow us to continue to deliver on our

36:26tri-part mission of advancing excellence in patient care, research, and education for

36:33many generations to come.

36:35As part of this vibrant community, our success and the success of our neighbors are intertwined.

36:41So this is a great step forward for the people of Baltimore and beyond for our collective

36:46future.

36:47And I particularly want to thank Governor Moore and the people of the Moore administration

36:52for their forward-thinking leadership in advancing the Red Line project.

36:57So thank you, Governor Moore.

36:59Now I'd like the opportunity, but before I do, I need to stop for a minute and recognize

37:04the meaning of this institution that's behind you and what vulnerable populations we serve

37:10in this community.

37:12And I need to thank the entire faculty and staff and leadership team of Bayview for what

37:17they do each and every day to take care of the members of our community.

37:20So thank you.

37:21I also...

37:22I also have the great privilege right now to hand over the microphone and podium to

37:31President Jennifer Nichols.

37:36Well, good afternoon, everyone.

37:46What an honor to be here on this beautiful day with Governor Moore, Lieutenant Governor

37:50Miller, Secretary Wiedefeld, County Executive Olszewski, Mayor Scott, and so many other

37:57state, city, local, and Hopkins officials.

38:00Today marks a significant milestone for the people of Baltimore and for the continued

38:05mission of this campus in Southeast Baltimore.

38:10This year, Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center is celebrating our 250th anniversary.

38:17And as you arrived on campus, you may have noticed our anniversary banners with the words,

38:22Your Health, Our Commitment.

38:25Since our humble beginnings as an almshouse in 1774, our mission and our commitment to

38:32the people of Baltimore has been about making connections, connecting patients with the

38:38right healthcare, connecting with our community to provide outreach and education, connecting

38:44with learners to grow future leaders of tomorrow, and connecting brilliant minds with resources

38:50to provide hope through groundbreaking research.

38:54That is why we are so thrilled to be the site of this important announcement today.

39:00The red line will significantly strengthen our connections as an academic medical center

39:06with others across the region and the city, from the Woodlawn area in Baltimore County

39:12through West Baltimore to downtown and across East Baltimore to the Johns Hopkins Bayview

39:17Medical Center.

39:19As we celebrate our 250th year, this project is a vital step forward for the people of

39:26Baltimore and beyond, enhancing access to healthcare, to jobs, and to education for

39:33everyone.

39:35We are so fortunate in the city of Baltimore to be home to world-class healthcare institutions

39:42and universities, but historically, transportation to these resources and jobs has been challenging

39:48for many residents.

39:50As someone who relied on public transportation every day in the early part of my career at

39:56Hopkins, I know firsthand the impact that investments in infrastructure like this can

40:02have on the lives of the people in our community, and we know that equitable access is essential

40:10for creating vibrant, healthy cities and enriching lives.

40:15This new red line will make it easier for patients and their family members to access

40:19some of our unique services here, like the Johns Hopkins Burn Center, the Asthma and

40:24Allergy Center, our nationally recognized geriatric programs, and the memory and Alzheimer's

40:30treatment centers, to name a few.

40:33It will also open doors to students who want to come to Johns Hopkins Bayview to learn,

40:38and to faculty and staff who want to devote their time and talents to helping us further

40:43our mission to provide hope and healing for all.

40:48We are so honored to be a part of Baltimore's future in this very special way.

40:54Governor Moore and the Moore administration, Mayor Scott, the Maryland Department of Transportation

40:59team, thank you.

41:00Thank you for your leadership, your partnership, and your vision, because we know that when

41:05we work together, Baltimore just keeps getting better, and it's our time.

41:11So it is now my pleasure to introduce Lucia Eastlis.

41:14Ms. Eastlis works as a case manager at the Southeast Community Development Corporation

41:19just down the street on Eastern Avenue.

41:22She is also a member of the inaugural Red Line Community Advisory Team.

41:28Ms. Eastlis.

41:29Good afternoon, everyone.

41:30Good afternoon.

41:31My name is Lucia Eastlis, and I'm here today wearing many hats, as I do in my life every

41:47day.

41:48I am a mother.

41:49I am a Baltimore City community member, a worker, an immigrant who has found opportunity

41:56in a new place.

41:58And I am also an advocate for all those trying to do the same throughout my years, volunteering

42:06with community organizations such as MISRAICES, Angeles de Baltimore, Comité Latino de Baltimore,

42:15and right now my work is a case manager at Southeast CDC.

42:20Previously, I worked here at Johns Hopkins with Central Soul, and I have seen time and

42:27again how what people truly want is a way to improve their lives and create opportunities

42:36for the next generation.

42:39Access to opportunities like jobs, skills training, education, is empowerment, and the

42:46Red Line will make that access a reality.

42:50I am so proud to be on the Red Line's Community Advisory Committee so that I can bring the

42:55voices and perspectives of those who are working every day to build stronger communities in

43:02which people can thrive.

43:05Today is a day of celebration.

43:06This is a milestone that shows that when communities continue to advocate for what they need, we

43:14can change the course of our city and our communities in powerful ways.

43:22Thank you.

43:23Thank you so much.

43:24And I will now turn things back to the Administrator Arnor to close the day.

43:37Thank you so much, Lucia, for being here and showcasing why this project is needed.

43:41We are so glad to have you on the Community Advisory Team, and I greatly appreciate the

43:45time that you're dedicating to make the Red Line the best project it can be.

43:48So thank you, and huge hands to Lucia and all of the CAP members for the time that they're

43:52giving on the project.

44:00It's people like Lucia and the community members she served that drive our desire to create

44:04a more equitable, stronger, and thriving Baltimore region.

44:08I want to reiterate again how grateful we are for the shared commitment for all of our

44:11partners regarding the success of the Baltimore Red Line.

44:13So thank you for being here today, for celebrating this project.

44:17This will end our events.

44:18I want to encourage everyone, before you leave, to stop by the table at the back and get an

44:22updated T-shirt with a new logo on it.

44:27And then I'm going to invite the Governor and Secretary up.

44:29I think we'll take a few minutes of questions from the press.

45:00Yeah, well, and I'll ask Secretary Whitefield to come up as well.

45:08We know that we have the resource we need for the phase that we're in right now, and

45:12we're excited to be able to properly utilizing those resources to be able to continue moving

45:16this forward.

45:17I do, though, think it's important to remind people that elections do have consequences.

Gov. Wes Moore Delivers Remarks On Investments In Baltimore Public Transit

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