1999 Assembly Resolution 36
ENGROSSED RESOLUTION
Relating to: congratulating Secretary Charles H. Thompson for his long-term services and wishing him well in his future endeavors.
Whereas, Charles H. Thompson has been secretary of the Wisconsin Department of Transportation since January 1992, the longest-serving secretary of transportation in the history of Wisconsin; and
Whereas, Charles H. Thompson has been active in many state and national organizations, committees and task forces, including leadership positions with the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials; and
Whereas, Charles H. Thompson serves as a director of the Center for Transportation and the Environment at North Carolina State University; serves on the Executive Committee for the Gary/Chicago/Milwaukee Corridor coalition, which oversees the development of the Intelligent Transportation Systems technology in the I 94 study corridor; and, at the state level, serves on the Wisconsin Land Use Task Force; and
Whereas, Charles H. Thompson brought his private-sector expertise, interests and experience to the department, giving it a stronger proactive, quality-based, customer-service perspective that resulted in the department's commitment to providing better products and services; and
Whereas, as secretary, Charles H. Thompson saw the advent and implementation in Wisconsin of a new federal transportation bill, known as ISTEA, which was designed "to develop a national intermodal transportation system that is economically efficient, environmentally sound, provides the foundation for the nation to compete in the global economy and will move people and goods in an energy efficient manner," and its successor, TEA 21; and
Whereas, under Secretary Thompson's leadership, the Wisconsin Department of Transportation reorganized under "Transform" and the "Strategic Change Event" to more efficiently meet and exceed the needs of its customers, legislators and local governments and to establish a new mission, vision and values for all WisDOT employes; and
Whereas, traffic safety was improved under Secretary Thompson, with traffic fatality rates dropping from 1.7 deaths per hundred million vehicle miles traveled in 1991 to 1.3 in 1999, saving scores of lives on Wisconsin's streets and highways; seat belt use has risen; and additional troopers have been authorized to increase safety on state and interstate highways; and
Whereas, Secretary Thompson has encouraged expanded use of native grasses and wildflowers along the state's highways to enhance the drive of Wisconsin's motorists; now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the assembly, That the members of the Wisconsin assembly recognize and congratulate Charles H. Thompson for his long-term services and wish him well in his future endeavors; and, be it further
Resolved, That the assembly chief clerk shall transmit a copy of this resolution to Secretary Thompson.
