[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 38 (Wednesday, March 2, 2022)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E205]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          RECOGNIZING THE EXTRAORDINARY SERVICE OF LEN SIMICH

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. DEAN PHILLIPS

                              of minnesota

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, March 2, 2022

  Mr. PHILLIPS. Madam Speaker, today I recognize Len Simich for his 
extraordinary service to the state of Minnesota as the longtime leader 
of SouthWest Transit.
   Since 1997, Len has served as the CEO of SouthWest Transit, a public 
transit agency serving the cities of Chaska, Chanhassen, Eden Prairie, 
and Carver. Under his leadership, SouthWest Transit has embodied its 
mission to be more than a transit agency by putting people first. This 
approach established SouthWest Transit as a nation-leading suburban 
transit agency and key contributor to the region's continued growth and 
economic development.
   Len has helped guide SouthWest Transit from nearly the beginning, 
helming the agency for over two-thirds of its existence. In that time, 
he has spurred a fourfold increase in ridership, the construction of 
numerous new transit stations, and the implementation of innovative 
transit services such as SouthWest Prime. He also helped lead the 
agency through the many challenges that have faced transportation 
agencies in the past two-and-a-half decades, including the 9/11 
terrorist attacks and the COVID-19 pandemic.
   Len's dedication and ingenuity has been recognized time and time 
again at the state and national levels. Len was previously honored as 
the Minnesota Transit Professional of the Year, and the list of 
accolades for SouthWest Transit are too numerous to fully list but 
include the American Public Transportation Association's Outstanding 
Public Transportation System of the Year and the Federal Highway 
Administration's National Environmental Excellence Award.
   Even as he embarks on his retirement, both SouthWest Transit and the 
communities the agency serves will continue to benefit from his 
visionary leadership. His service has made it easier for families and 
friends to share moments together, for residents to achieve economic 
success through access to job openings across the region, for seniors 
to live more independently and maintain access to the care and services 
they need, and for all to enjoy unique seasonal events like the 
Minnesota State Fair. Our region owes a debt of gratitude to Len for 
allowing us all to enjoy the fruits of his labor, and on behalf of a 
grateful community, we wish him a happy, healthy, and meaningful 
retirement.

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