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 S6374 on Oct. 21, 2020.
The Department handles nearly all infrastructure crisscrossing the country. Downsizing the Federal Government, a project aimed at lowering taxes and boosting federal efficiency, said the Department should be privatized to save money, reduce congestion and spur innovation.
The publication is reproduced in full below:
ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS
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TRIBUTE TO JENNIFER COHAN
Mr. CARPER. Mr. President, I rise today, on behalf of myself and my colleague from Delaware, Senator Chris Coons, to pay tribute to Jennifer Cohan, secretary of the Delaware Department of Transportation--DelDOT--who has been a tremendous leader and public servant in the State of Delaware for more than three decades. Jen has served as the secretary of the DelDOT, since 2015 where, as the third woman to serve as secretary in the department's 100-year history, she developed and implemented the State's largest ever roadway infrastructure program. She previously served as director of the Delaware Division of Motor Vehicles--DMV--for 8 years and was the first woman to serve in that position in State history.
After 31 years of public service to the State of Delaware, Jen is retiring from DelDOT at the end of this month. She will be taking on a new role as the chief executive officer of Leadership Delaware. In this new role, Jen will lead this highly regarded organization in its mission to recruit outstanding young Delawareans and help equip them with the knowledge, vision, integrity, and connections they will need to become the future leaders of communities, nonprofits, businesses, and organizations within the First State.
As secretary of DelDOT, Jen contributed not only her intellect, innovative ideas, and immense technical capacity, but also an uplifting positive energy that motivated everyone fortunate enough to serve on her team.
Over the course of her distinguished career with the State of Delaware, Jen has held a range of leadership roles. In addition to her leadership of DelDOT, Jen is currently the chair of the Intelligent Transportation Society of America, where she has highlighted DelDOT's work to prepare Delaware's transportation system for the future. Previously, in her capacity as director of the Delaware DMV, she transformed the agency by investing in technology and enhancing customer service. She also previously managed Delaware's clean water program at the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control and analyzed budgets for the General Assembly in the office of the controller general. As if that were not enough, Jen has also spent the last 12 years as an adjunct professor at Wilmington University, teaching leadership and public policy in the master's program there.
On this occasion of your retirement from public service, Jen, Senator Coons and I want to convey to you the gratitude of all Delawareans for the enthusiasm, dedication, and entrepreneurial spirit that you have consistently brought to your many leadership roles and for your service to the people of Delaware. We also want to extend our heartfelt thanks to your family for sharing you with all of us for the past 31 years. In closing, Jen, please accept our warmest congratulations and best wishes and our thanks for dedicating the past three decades of your life to advancing mobility, improving infrastructure, and enhancing the quality of life for all of us who call the First State home. Bravo Zulu. God bless.
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