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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, Gary C. Thomas is retiring as president and |
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executive director of Dallas Area Rapid Transit, concluding an |
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exemplary career with the organization that has spanned more than |
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two decades; and |
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WHEREAS, In 1998, Mr. Thomas joined DART as senior vice |
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president of project management, and he was named president and |
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executive director in 2001; his innovative leadership has been |
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instrumental in numerous initiatives, including a major expansion |
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of the DART light rail system, which is the longest of its kind in |
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the nation; he also adopted policies that furthered development |
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projects near DART stations, an approach that has helped strengthen |
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the local economy; other highlights of his tenure include the |
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establishment of a clean fuels program for the agency's bus fleet as |
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well as multiple improvements to public transit technologies and |
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services; and |
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WHEREAS, Before being hired by DART, Mr. Thomas compiled 18 |
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years of experience as a consulting engineer; he was initially |
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employed by Black & Veatch, and he went on to excel in several |
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managerial positions for Lockwood, Andrews & Newman, where he began |
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working on DART-related projects in 1986; and |
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WHEREAS, A highly respected figure in his field, Mr. Thomas |
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has served in prominent roles in a number of professional |
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organizations, including the South West Transit Association, the |
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Transportation Research Board, and the American Public |
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Transportation Association; a graduate of Texas Tech University, |
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where he earned bachelor's degrees in architecture and civil |
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engineering, he is the recipient of the Distinguished Engineer |
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Award from the university's Whitacre College of Engineering; and |
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WHEREAS, Gary Thomas's expertise and vision have enabled DART |
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to develop effective transportation solutions in an era of immense |
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growth for the Metroplex, and his achievements will continue to |
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benefit area residents and businesses for many years to come; now, |
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therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 87th Texas |
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Legislature hereby congratulate Gary C. Thomas on his retirement as |
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the president and executive director of Dallas Area Rapid Transit |
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and extend to him sincere best wishes for the future; and, be it |
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further |
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RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be |
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prepared for Mr. Thomas as an expression of high regard by the Texas |
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House of Representatives. |