[Congressional Record Volume 163, Number 203 (Wednesday, December 13, 2017)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1691]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]





            HONORING METRA CEO DON ORSENO ON HIS RETIREMENT

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. DANIEL LIPINSKI

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, December 13, 2017

  Mr. LIPINSKI. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Don Orseno on the 
occasion of his retirement from Metra, Northeast Illinois's commuter 
rail agency. Don's retirement is well-deserved after 4 years leading 
the agency and 44 years in the railroad industry.
   Don began his railroading career in 1974 when he was hired by the 
Chicago Rock Island and Pacific Railroad Company as a commuter train 
ticket taker, later working his way up to become a locomotive engineer. 
These experiences gave Don the applied knowledge that helped propel him 
to the top spot at one of the nation's premier commuter railroads. 
After joining Metra in 1984, Don continued his upward trajectory by 
advancing to Deputy Executive Director before his appointment as CEO/
Executive Director in 2013 and confirmation in 2014.
   Don's leadership at Metra could not have come at a more critical 
point in the agency's history, as he faced an uphill battle in tackling 
the many issues with Metra's operational performance and overall 
health. Leading a $1 billion commuter rail agency that runs 750 trains 
per day across a 3700-square mile, six-county region is a challenge 
under normal circumstances, but Don quickly showed he was the right fit 
for the job. Under Don's tenure, Metra has pursued ambitious 
modernization efforts while dealing with political uncertainties and 
complex regulatory mandates. Don's recent successes at Metra include 
improving on-time performance, expanding train car rehabilitation 
programs, modernizing the ticketing and fare system, and beginning the 
installation of wireless internet on Metra trains.
   Don is not just an excellent leader and seasoned railroader, but he 
is also a great person and those of us who have worked with him or have 
come to know him are fortunate for that opportunity. Metra is a better 
place because of Don and he will be missed as he starts a new chapter 
to spend more time with his wife, Charm, two children, and five 
grandchildren.
   I ask my colleagues to join me in thanking Don Orseno for his many 
years of service to Chicagoland commuters and wishing him well in his 
retirement.

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