February 20, 2009

SENATE HONORS DOT MEMBERS FOR WORK DURING STORMS OF 2007-2009

The state Senate on Friday put aside partisanship to unanimously adopt a resolution honoring Department of Transportation members as “local heroes” who saved the state during the devastating floods of December 2007 and the snowstorms and flooding during this winter.

DOT members from around the state packed the Senate gallery, along with State Troopers and DOT Engineers of IFPTE Local 17.

“The department of transportation responded to the storms with over 1,250 employees working around the clock during the holiday season, compiling 115,000 hours of regular time and 48,000 hours of overtime,” read part of Senate Resolution 8634.

“These men and women were out there making it a safer place to live,” said Sen. Mary Margaret Haugen of the 10th District, who chairs the Senate Transportation Committee.

“I can tell you, they saved lives.”

Haugen led off a list of senators who praised the DOT members for saving their communities.

“This isn’t an inconvenience—this is their job,” said Sen. Chris Marr of the 6th District, who is a former member of the state Transportation Commission.

Sen. Tim Sheldon of the 35th District praised the members for doing a tough job when most other citizens are rushing home to protect their homes and families.

“When you do this work, you leave your families at home,” Sheldon said.

By the way, the Federation’s Natural Disaster Relief Fund 2009 will take applications for assistance until March 1. You can download applications at www.wfse.org.

No comments: