[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 152 (Wednesday, September 24, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1877]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 CONGRATULATING THE SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNCIL OF GOVERNMENTS ON ITS 40TH 
                              ANNIVERSARY

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. KEVIN McCARTHY

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Tuesday, September 23, 2008

  Mr. McCARTHY of California. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the 
San Luis Obispo Council of Governments, SLOCOG, on its 40th 
anniversary. SLOCOG was established in 1968 as an area-wide planning 
and coordinating council responsible for a wide variety of 
transportation, housing, water and sewer, open space and other programs 
in San Luis Obispo County. SLOCOG served as the overseer of the region 
by adopting an area-wide infrastructure plan.
  In 1973, SLOCOG became a Regional Transportation Planning Agency and 
developed the region's first Regional Transportation Plan. Its plan 
addressed all modes of transportation, and it has continually updated 
the community schematic to address the changing needs and priorities of 
the area. In 1978, SLOCOG was designated the lead agency responsible 
for complying with the provisions of the 1977 Federal Clean Air Act and 
subsequently adopted the region's first air quality attainment and 
monitoring plan.
  Following the enactment of the Intermodal Surface Transportation 
Efficiency Act of 1991, ISTEA, SLOCOG expanded significantly in order 
to develop a comprehensive, interconnected, intermodal transportation 
system in the county. The agency then developed the region's first 
compliance plan for the Americans with Disabilities Act.
  Beginning in 1993, SLOCOG prepared the region's first Federal 
Transportation Improvement Program, FTIP, and has updated the plan 
every 2 years to address the changing community needs and to ensure San 
Luis Obispo County's infrastructure conforms to Federal policies. 
Demonstrative of SLOCOG' s ability to handle a big workload: the most 
recent FTIP consisted of 99 construction projects.
  In 1998, following enactment of the Transportation Efficiency Act for 
the 21st Century, TEA2l, the role of SLOCOG as the Metropolitan 
Planning Organization for the region was reinforced through the 
continued emphasis on the intermodal planning process established in 
ISTEA.
  Examples of SLOCOG's hard work and dedication to transportation needs 
are clear across San Luis Obispo County. SLOCOG has developed a 
regional network of bikeway and pedestrian facilities, which serve all 
areas of the county. It has also created a comprehensive community 
public transit system that serves all seven cities and unincorporated 
urban areas. SLOCOG improved passenger rail facilities throughout the 
region, and enhanced aviation service in the region with new and 
improved passenger airline safety equipment and facilities. SLOCOG has 
also worked cooperatively with local jurisdictions, Caltrans and other 
agencies to successfully plan and design construction of many major 
surface transportation system improvements.
  The San Luis Obispo Council of Governments has given the county of 
San Luis Obispo 40 years of dedicated service. I commend SLOCOG for its 
service to San Luis Obispo County residents in making their daily 
commutes and drives a little more pleasant and a little bit quicker 
because of well planned and executed transportation projects, programs, 
and policies.

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