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SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 495
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WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas is pleased to |
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recognize James M. Bass, who is retiring as executive director of |
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the Texas Department of Transportation after 36 years of |
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outstanding service to the agency; and |
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WHEREAS, James Bass began his career with the Texas |
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Department of Transportation in 1985 as a summer worker in the |
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Fort Worth District; in 1990, he began working as a part-time |
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engineering aide in the Austin District while studying at The |
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University of Texas at Austin, and in 1991, he completed his |
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bachelor's degree in accounting; and |
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WHEREAS, Mr. Bass worked as a budget and forecasting |
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manager for the department for several years, and in 1999, he was |
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selected to serve as finance division director; in 2005, he |
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became the agency's chief financial officer, and his impressive |
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accomplishments included implementing several bond programs that |
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allowed for the use of more than $18 billion for infrastructure; |
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and |
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WHEREAS, In 2016, he was named executive director, and |
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under his leadership, the agency developed its largest 10-year |
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transportation plan for the state; as head of the department, he |
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has focused on expanding opportunities for employees through |
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educational and outreach programs and partnerships, and he has |
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prioritized increasing diversity and supporting a culture of |
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inclusivity within the department; he successfully led the |
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agency amid the challenges and devastation caused by multiple |
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natural disasters, including Hurricane Harvey, and he has |
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ensured the well-being of the department's 12,000 employees |
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throughout the COVID-19 pandemic; and |
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WHEREAS, A widely respected public administrator, James |
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Bass has guided the Texas Department of Transportation with |
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skill, confidence, and compassion, and he has set lasting |
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standards for excellence that will benefit the agency and the |
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State of Texas long into the future; now, therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 87th |
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Legislature, hereby commend James M. Bass on his exceptional |
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career with the Texas Department of Transportation and on his |
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invaluable contributions to the citizens of Texas and extend to |
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him best wishes for success in all his future endeavors; and, be |
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it further |
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RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared for |
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him as an expression of esteem from the Texas Senate. |
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Nichols |
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________________________________ |
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President of the Senate |
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I hereby certify that the |
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above Resolution was adopted by |
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the Senate on May 26, 2021. |
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________________________________ |
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Secretary of the Senate |
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________________________________ |
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Member, Texas Senate |