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“COMMENDING GENE R. ``ROCKY'' ROCCABRUNA” mentioning the U.S. Dept. of Transportation was published in the Senate section on pages S2101 on April 4, 2000.
The publication is reproduced in full below:
COMMENDING GENE R. ``ROCKY'' ROCCABRUNA
Mr. THOMAS. Mr. President, on March 15, 2000, Gene R.
``Rocky'' Roccabruna retired as Director of the State of Wyoming's Department of Transportation. Mr. Roccabruna stepped down from his position after rendering more than 30 years of outstanding public service. I regret his departure in the sense that it is indeed a loss to both the agency he headed and to the traveling public at large. But at the same time, I wish to extend, on behalf of my state's Congressional delegation, our gratitude for a job well done and our sincerest wishes for a long and happy retirement.
Mr. Roccabruna's retirement represents a milestone in Wyoming highway history as he was the last active Department of Transportation employee whose association with the agency dated back to the beginning of Interstate Highway System in 1956. After starting as an engineer trainee, he earned steady promotions and soon was in charge of multi-
million dollar highway construction contracts. Several sections of Interstate 80 were built under his supervision and that road has since become not only Wyoming's busiest highway but a major artery for transcontinental commerce as well.
Mr. Roccabruna left the employ of state government to start his own contracting business but later returned and went on to hold several managerial positions within the Department of Transportation. His reputation grew along with his responsibilities. He became widely recognized for abilities as a good listener and consensus builder. For these and numerous other good reasons, Wyoming Gov. Jim Geringer appointed him in December 1996 to head the Department, which is the largest Wyoming state agency. During the past three-plus years, I, Senator Enzi and Representative Cubin, and our staffs, have had numerous opportunities to work with Mr. Roccabruna on many important state and national transportation issues. His advice was particularly valuable when we helped craft the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century, and his contributions will provide benefits well into the future. While I look forward to a continuing good relationship with the Wyoming DOT under its new director, Sleeter C. Dover, I take this opportunity to again say thanks to Mr. Roccabruna for dedicating so much of his time and talents to making transportation more efficient, more enjoyable and safer for Wyoming residents and the entire traveling public.
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