The Congressional Record is a unique source of public documentation. It started in 1873, documenting nearly all the major and minor policies being discussed and debated.
“ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS” mentioning the U.S. Dept. of Transportation was published in the Senate section on pages S1584 on Feb. 26, 2001.
The publication is reproduced in full below:
ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS
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TRIBUTE TO LEON KENISON UPON HIS RETIREMENT
Mr. SMITH of New Hampshire. Mr. President, I rise today to honor Leon Kenison, an exemplary public official who dedicated himself to serving the people of New Hampshire for almost four decades. As Commissioner of the Department of Transportation since 1996, he has brought to the office the professional skills and knowledge of the politics and practice of road building so vital to an agency that touches the lives of every person who lives in or visits the Granite State.
Leon began his career with the Department of Transportation in 1963, a week before graduating from the University of New Hampshire. He is widely respected for his transportation expertise at state, regional and national levels, and has chaired several key committees for the American Association of State Highway Transportation Officials. During his tenure with the DOT, Leon approached his work with a can-do attitude, and balanced what needs to be done with what can be done.
Throughout his career, Leon accomplished a great deal for transportation in New Hampshire. The people of this state look upon him with tremendous gratitude and admiration for all that he has done. I have often sought Leon's support and expertise on transportation issues. We worked closely together to make sure that New Hampshire's needs were met in the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century. Under his leadership, the DOT not only secured funding to complete major highway projects including Route 101 and I-93, but also placed more emphasis on environmental protection, car pools, express bus, rail and other new programs.
It is an honor and a privilege to serve Leon Kenison in the U.S. Senate and I wish him and his family godspeed in his retirement and in all of their future endeavors.
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