[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 106 (Thursday, July 17, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1499]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     HONORING JULIE M. AUSTIN, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, FOOTHILL TRANSIT

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. ADAM B. SCHIFF

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, July 16, 2003

  Mr. SCHIFF. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay special recognition to 
Ms. Julie M. Austin. On July 30, 2003, the Foothill Transit Executive 
Board will wish a fond farewell to Ms. Austin, who is leaving her 
position as Executive Director of Foothill Transit and Vice President 
of Transit Management for ATC/Forsythe & Associates, Inc., a post she 
has held since 1997.
  As Executive Director, Ms. Austin has overall responsibility for 
implementing Executive Board policies, developing policy 
recommendations and providing leadership and vision for the nationally 
recognized Foothill Transit. Foothill Transit was created in 1988, in 
one of the largest public-private transit partnerships in the United 
States, and has delivered cost-effective, safe and efficient bus 
service to commuters and residents in the San Gabriel and Pomona 
Valleys, located in the eastern portion of Los Angeles County in 
southern California. Foothill Transit now operates on 32 routes with 
nearly 300 buses and almost 17 million annual boardings, a marked 
increase from the 9.5 million boardings at the time of the creation of 
the transit agency.
  The American Public Transportation Association recognized Foothill 
Transit in 2001 with a ``Bus Safety Gold Award,'' dubbing Foothill the 
safest transit agency of its size. Foothill was also named 
``Outstanding Transit System'' of its size by APTA in 1993 and 1995. 
The National Safety Council, Greater Los Angeles Chapter, recognized 
Foothill Transit in 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998 and 2001 with first-place 
awards for its safety programs.
  Ms. Austin played a leadership role in the accomplishments of 
Foothill Transit, both as Executive Director and as Deputy Executive 
Director from 1995 to 1997. She also contributed to the success of 
public transit in Los Angeles County as Director of Management Support 
from 1993 to 1995 at the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation 
Authority and as Senior Transit Analyst/Manager of Transportation 
Policy from 1989 to 1993 at the Los Angeles County Transportation 
Commission, where she oversaw a three-year evaluation of the Foothill 
Transit Zone. She also worked for the Southern California Association 
of Governments for three years and spent several years as a 
transportation consultant.
  A resident of the City of Monrovia, California, Ms. Austin has a 
bachelor's degree in journalism from California Polytechnic State 
University, San Luis Obispo. She is active in the American Public 
Transit Association (Legislative Committee), California Transit 
Association (Executive Committee), San Gabriel Valley Commerce and 
Cities Consortium Board, Women's Transportation Seminar, San Gabriel 
Valley Council of Governments Transit Committee, and West Covina 
Chamber of Commerce.
  I ask all Members of Congress to join me today in honoring this truly 
remarkable leader in the field of public transit in our region, in 
thanking for her efforts and in wishing her the best in her future 
endeavors.

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