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WHEREAS, the necessary studies to evaluate and select a preferred high-speed rail alternative from Richmond to Hampton Roads have been delayed by more than two years; and WHEREAS, the General Assembly has not identified a dedicated and sufficient transportation funding stream to improve the regional transportation corridors, and federal funding under the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act of 2009 and subsequent federal budgets will direct significant funds to qualified high-speed rail projects; and WHEREAS, the Commonwealth must with all deliberate speed complete the federally required studies for identifying a preferred high-speed passenger rail connection from Richmond to Hampton Roads so the region can be in a position to successfully compete for the now available federal funds; and WHEREAS, the City Councils of Portsmouth, Chesapeake, Franklin, Norfolk, Suffolk, and Virginia Beach and the Board of Supervisors of Isle of Wight (including the Town Councils of Smithfield and Windsor) and Southampton Counties have all agreed to pass resolutions similar to this one; now, therefore, NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED by the Council of the City of Portsmouth: Section I: - That the Council of the City of Portsmouth joins with the other local governments of South Hampton Roads in urging the Commonwealth of Virginia (Commonwealth) to make as its first priority for the essential high-speed connection to this region a link between South Hampton Roads and downtown Richmond via the Route 4601N0rfolk Southern Corridor. Section 2: - That the Council joins with the other local governments of South Hampton Roads in urging the Commonwealth to also assist the local governments on the Peninsula of Hampton Roads to improve their existing conventional rail capacity. Section 3: - That the Council, in harmony with the other local governments of South Hampton Roads, fully appreciates the tough competition the Commonwealth will face in their attempts to secure federal high-speed rail funding. Section 4: - That the Council joins with the other local governments of South Hampton Roads in urging the Commonwealth to make high-speed passenger rail a high priority initiative. Section 5: - That the Council joins with the other local governments of South Hampton Roads in urging the Commonwealth to make an immediate and significant commitment of both staff and financial resources to best position the Richmond to