Remarks by Senator Murray

March 19, 2002

 

Mr. Chairman, thank you focusing on this vital issue and thank for letting me say a few words about a friend and leader from my home state, Ron Sims. You'll be hearing from him during your second panel.

 

Unfortunately, I need to attend a joint hearing shortly, but I wanted to come by and let you know that Ron Sims understands the critical transportation problems we're facing in Washington State.

 

Ron Sims serves as the Executive of King County, which is the 11th largest county in the nation.

 

When Ron talks to you today about traffic congestion, he speaks with authority. The Seattle-Tacoma Corridor has the second worst traffic in the nation. Ron's been working to address that in his role as a board member -- and now Chairman -- of Sound Transit, the major transit authority in the Central Puget Sound.

 

For the past few months, he's been working to bring business leaders and local elected officials together to reduce traffic congestion, so that King County can continue to grow economically. Ron has led the way on smart strategies for moving people and products in a state that is the most trade dependent in the nation.

 

And Ron's a national leader on metropolitan issues. He's a member of the advisory board of the Brookings Center on Urban and Metropolitan Policy.

 

Ron was born in Spokane, Washington. He spent 11 years on the King County Council and for the past five years, he's served as the county executive -- dealing with everything from recovering endangered salmon to using technology to bring government closer to his constituents.

 

He's a proud husband and father of three, a passionate advocate, and a gifted leader. Mr. Chairman, I know that Ron's insights will help this committee as they have helped the people of my state.

 

It's my honor to welcome to this committee, Ron Sims.