78R3785 JHS-D

By:  Truitt                                                       H.R. No. 94 



R E S O L U T I O N
	WHEREAS, David E. Visney retired from the Federal Railroad 
Administration in January 2003 after 20 years of distinguished 
service, and he leaves behind a legacy of railroad safety 
improvements that have benefited many Americans; and
	WHEREAS, Born and raised in our nation's heartland, Mr. 
Visney graduated from Ohio's Bowling Green State University in 1957 
with a degree in business administration; soon after his graduation 
he began his tenure in the railroad industry in Blue Island, 
Illinois, as a fireman with the Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific 
Railroad; and
	WHEREAS, Mr. Visney's talent and work ethic were recognized 
early on by his employer and, with his duties steadily progressing 
beyond train service, he was ultimately named to the position of 
superintendent of the Missouri-Kansas division, the largest 
operating unit in the Rock Island system; in this post he was 
responsible for more than 2,000 miles of track and some 2,000 
employees; and
	WHEREAS, Railroad safety has always been the foremost concern 
of this dedicated and honorable gentleman, and his commitment was 
evidenced by a reduction in the number of accidents on the Chicago, 
Rock Island and Pacific Railroad during his tenure; and
	WHEREAS, Mr. Visney's abiding interest in railroad safety led 
him to employment with the Federal Railroad Administration where he 
held many positions of responsibility, serving as operating 
practices inspector, district chief, and deputy regional director; 
in 1995 he was named regional manager for highway-rail crossing 
safety and trespass prevention programs in Texas; and
	WHEREAS, With his tireless dedication to safer railroads, Mr. 
Visney has earned the lasting respect of the state's transportation 
and safety professionals; he has saved lives and prevented injuries 
to countless Texas motorists and pedestrians through his efforts to 
promote railroad crossing safety education, increase the 
installation of railroad crossing signals, improve enforcement of 
motor vehicle laws at railroad crossings, and eliminate unnecessary 
highway-railroad grade crossings; and
	WHEREAS, Dave Visney is a Texan in stature and in heart, 
having fully embraced the spirit and illustrious history of the 
Lone Star State; after living in many different parts of our nation, 
Mr. Visney and his beloved wife Joanne have found a home in 
Southlake, and it is a pleasure to pay tribute to this adopted son 
and to extend to him best wishes for all the best life has to offer 
in the years that lie ahead; now, therefore, be it
	RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 78th Texas 
Legislature hereby honor David E. Visney for his contributions to 
railroad safety and congratulate him on the occasion of his 
retirement from the Federal Railroad Administration; and, be it 
further
	RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be 
prepared for Mr. Visney as an expression of high regard by the Texas 
House of Representatives.