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(The following Gannett News Service report by Faith Bremner appeared on the Great Falls Tribune website on June 26.)

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Montana Lt. Gov. John Bohlinger told a House panel Tuesday that maintaining and upgrading Amtrak passenger service through his state is good for the country.

During a hearing by the House Transportation and Infrastructure Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines and Hazardous Materials, Bohlinger said all Americans benefit from having a coast-to-coast passenger rail system, just like they do from having an interstate highway system.

“It’s what a great nation and a great country is held together with,” Bohlinger said.

The subcommittee hearing was in connection with plans to update and renew the federal law that created Amtrak.