[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 115 (Tuesday, July 28, 2009)]
[Senate]
[Page S8190]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS

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          HONORING THE SERVICE OF CLARENCE ``CAL'' W. MARSELLA

 Mr. BENNET. Mr. President, I wish to offer congratulations and 
gratitude to Clarence ``Cal'' W. Marsella on the occasion of his 
retirement as general manager of the Denver Regional Transportation 
District, RTD.
  Under Cal's leadership, the Denver region has become a national model 
of how effective public transit service can improve the quality of 
life, environment, and energy efficiency of a region. Cal was able to 
bring local, State, and Federal officials together behind a shared 
vision for our region, build a transit system matched to our region's 
growth patterns, and help us all remain committed to preserving one of 
the Nation's most unique and precious environments. At the same time, 
he has been a national champion for the idea that mass transit is the 
key to our energy independence.
  Cal Marsella was hired as RTD's general manager in August 1995. 
During his service, he oversaw the completion of three new light rail 
lines on time and on budget, including the T-REX light rail project 
that opened November 17, 2006. Reflecting his performance and the 
strong public trust in RTD, metro area voters in 2004 overwhelmingly 
approved the FasTracks transit expansion program for the entire eight-
county metro area. This represents the largest transit-only voter 
approved program in the entire country. With Cal's skill, 
determination, and effort, progress on the FasTracks program has moved 
ahead swiftly, and construction is currently underway on the new West 
Corridor.
  Mr. Marsella began his transportation career in the highway 
engineering division of the State of Connecticut Department of 
Transportation in 1974, armed with a masters' degree in public affairs 
and a bachelor of arts degree from the University of Connecticut. He 
now serves on the National Academy of Sciences Transportation Research 
Board and regularly guest lectures at the University of Denver and the 
University of Colorado master's degree programs in transportation and 
public administration. In recent years, Cal has received national 
honors commensurate with his leadership and achievements. He was 
selected by the American Public Transportation Association as the 
Outstanding Public Transportation Manager in 2006 and, under his 
management RTD, was selected as the Outstanding Transportation Agency 
in North America in both 2003 and 2008.
  I congratulate and extend my sincere gratitude to Cal Marsella for 
his service to the Denver region and the State of Colorado. I wish him 
continued success and all good fortune in his work ahead.

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