[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 112 (Friday, July 25, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1609]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[[Page E1609]]
COMMEMORATING JULIE M. AUSTIN'S SERVICE WITH FOOTHILL TRANSIT JULY 24, 
                                  2003

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. GARY G. MILLER

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 24, 2003

  Mr. GARY G. MILLER of California. 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.
  Foothill Transit was created in 1988, making it one of the largest 
public-private transit partnerships in the United States. Since this 
time it 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. As 
Executive Director, Ms. Austin is responsible for implementing 
Executive Board policies, developing policy recommendations and 
providing leadership and vision for the nationally recognized Foothill 
Transit.
  Throughout her tenure with Foothill Transit, Ms. Austin has ensured 
that southern California commuters are provided with the safest and 
most efficient transit system possible. Under her leadership, the 
American Public Transportation Association (APTA) recognized Foothill 
Transit in 2001 with a ``Bus Safety Gold Award,'' dubbing Foothill 
Transit the safest transit agency of its size. Foothill Transit was 
also named ``Outstanding Transit System'' of its size by APTA in 1993 
and 1995. The Greater Los Angeles Chapter of the National Safety 
Council recognized Foothill Transit in 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998 and 2001 
with first-place awards for its safety programs.
  Ms. Austin was also instrumental in both expanding and modernizing 
Foothill Transit's mode of operations. In 2002, Foothill Transit opened 
a new era in fuel-efficient technology by beginning its conversion to a 
compressed natural gas (CNG) fleet with plans to have an all-CNG fleet 
by 2011. That same year, Foothill Transit opened its second operations 
and maintenance facility in Irwindale, joining its first agency-owned 
facility in Pomona, which opened in 1997.
  She has 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 and to wish her all 
the best in her future endeavors.

                          ____________________