[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 85 (Thursday, June 7, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1022-E1023]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      TRIBUTE TO THE RETIREMENT OF MR. JOHN FENTON, CEO, METROLINK

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. GARY G. MILLER

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, June 7, 2012

  Mr. GARY G. MILLER of California. Mr. Speaker, rise to pay tribute to 
Southern California Regional Rail Authority Chief Executive Officer 
John Fenton, who is retiring this year.
  John Fenton led efforts to enhance safety and instilled safety 
culture at Southern California Regional Rail Authority, commonly 
referred to as Metrolink. He hosted a summit on safety to facilitate 
the implementation of safety culture nationwide, was joined by over 60 
members of the California Legislature to bring awareness to safety 
culture statewide, pioneered a curriculum for railroad safety with the 
University of Southern California's Viterbi School of Engineering and 
deployed the safest passenger rail cars available known as the Guardian 
Fleet across the Metrolink System.
  John Fenton's leadership and commitment to Positive Train Control 
implementation in advance of the federal mandate were unwavering and he 
became a nationwide spokesperson on its significance to rail safety in 
the country for passenger and freight rail providers.

[[Page E1023]]

  John Fenton brought a level of integrity, passion and tremendous 
enthusiasm to the position and was respected by railroad stakeholders 
such as the NTSB, rail unions and federal and state regulatory 
agencies.
  John Fenton's dedication and perseverance led Metrolink to increase 
its ridership, thereby reducing traffic congestion and air emissions 
and providing Southern California commuters with a safe, reliable, 
efficient and cost-effective means to travel.
  In the two years that John Fenton has led Metrolink, he has ushered 
in a new era of service that has included a 14 percent service 
expansion, the introduction of express trains, bike cars, quiet cars, 
service to sporting events throughout the region, and increased 
coordination with other regional transit providers including airports.
  John Fenton's private sector railroad experience helped him introduce 
business oriented best practices that led to efficiencies in the agency 
that elevated Metrolink's performance and resulted in improved 
Metrolink reputation in the region to passengers, employees, 
stakeholders, rail industry partners and the news media.
  John Fenton expanded a fuel conservation policy to save over 860,000 
gallons of fuel annually, reducing costs to the agency and reducing 
idling, noise and air emissions from Metrolink facilities and was 
unwavering in his vigilant pursuit of additional operational 
efficiencies.
  Under John Fenton's administration the agency pursued major capital 
projects including the Metrolink Service Expansion Program, Orange 
County Grade Crossing Safety Improvements, Glendale Corridor Grade 
Crossing Safety Improvements, Los Angeles Union Station Platform 
Improvements, and Perris Valley Line Expansion.
  John Fenton brought his strong mid-west values from Indiana to all of 
his endeavors while embracing his role of ``Johnnywood'' with rock-star 
flair, as required by the unique Los Angeles culture.
  John Fenton's departure to Florida is a loss to the Southern 
California region's railroading industry. He is leaving an admirable 
legacy as well as many friends and colleagues that will miss him.

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