[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 113 (Thursday, July 29, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1466]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 IN RECOGNITION OF CELIA G. KUPERSMITH

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. MIKE THOMPSON

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 29, 2010

  Mr. THOMPSON of California. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize 
Celia Kupersmith, who is resigning after 11 years of service as General 
Manager of the Golden Gate Bridge, Highway, and Transportation District 
in Northern California.
  A native Texan, Celia Kupersmith attended Southwest Texas State 
University where she earned her Bachelor of Arts Degree in Geography 
and Planning, followed by a Master's Degree in Urban Planning at Texas 
A&M University. Prior to joining the Bridge District in 1999, Ms. 
Kupersmith served as Executive Director of the Regional Transportation 
Commission in Reno, Nevada.
  As General Manager, Celia Kupersmith has led an organization that 
comprises the landmark Golden Gate Bridge and two public transit 
systems, including a network of almost 200 buses and five ferries 
serving the North Bay Area and San Francisco County. Under her 
direction, approximately 825 employees serve more than 50 million 
Bridge and transit customers, as well as six million tourists each 
year.
  During her tenure, Ms. Kupersmith moved the Bridge District forward 
in many ways, including leading efforts to seismically retrofit the 
Bridge, now two-thirds complete; enhance overall security of the 
Bridge; transform Golden Gate Ferry services into an expeditious 30 
minute crossing; lead the introduction of new technology including 
FasTrak and TransLink; and improve internal business operations and 
long-term financial stability.
  Celia Kupersmith has also been active in various professional 
organizations including serving as Chair of the American Public 
Transportation Association and on various committees of the 
International Bridge, Tunnel, and Turnpike Association. She has been a 
member of the Mineta Transportation Institute's Board of Directors, the 
Transit Cooperative Research Project Selection Committee, and the 
National Transportation Institute's Advisory Board.
  Ms. Kupersmith leaves the Bridge District to pursue a new career as 
Deputy Chief Executive Officer of Sound Transit in the Seattle, 
Washington area where she will oversee the construction and operation 
of commuter and light rail systems, as well as a regional commuter bus 
service.
  Madam Speaker, it is appropriate at this time that we honor Celia 
Kupersmith for her extraordinary contributions to the Golden Gate 
Bridge, Highway, and Transportation District. I thank Ms. Kupersmith 
for her service and join her colleagues in wishing her continued 
success in her new career.

                          ____________________