[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 148 (2002), Part 10]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 13179-13180]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]


   TRIBUTE TO PHIL SCHERER TRANSPORTATION DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATION OF 
                               WISCONSIN

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. THOMAS E. PETRI

                              of wisconsin

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, July 16, 2002

  Mr. PETRI. Mr. Speaker, I want to pay tribute to Phil Scherer upon 
his retirement as Executive Director of the Transportation Development 
Association of Wisconsin. Phil has been with TDA for just over 15 
years, and during that time he has been an effective leader in bringing 
together varied transportation interests in the State of Wisconsin to 
work toward the common goal of improving transportation for all the 
citizens of our state.
  TDA's goal is the ``establishment and maintenance of a balanced 
transportation network that meets Wisconsin's present and future 
mobility needs in an efficient and effective manner.'' Members include 
representatives from both the private and public sector who are 
involved in all modes of transportation so that it really provides a 
well-balanced, thoughtful perspective on the many transportation 
challenges we face.
  Needless to say, it takes a unique person who can work effectively 
and cooperatively with these various interests to pull together a 
coherent policy and action plan that makes sense. And Phil has been up 
to the task. I think I can safely say that all of us in government--
whether at the federal, state, or local level--have come to rely on 
Phil and his organization over the years as we debate the 
transportation issues of the day.
  Phil obviously has been well-served by his extensive background in 
the area of transportation and planning. Prior to coming to TDA, he 
served for 12 years as the Lead Senior Planner for the Northwest 
Regional Planning Commission where he had responsibility for the 10-
county commission's transportation planning program. In addition, he 
has worked as a senior planner for a national architectural, 
engineering and planning firm in Milwaukee and also as an Associate 
Planner for the City of Racine.
  Throughout his career, Phil has served on many state and local 
committees, advisory

[[Page 13180]]

boards and commissions. In 1989 he served as the Chairman of the Better 
Roads & Transportation Council of America where he received its highest 
award for excellence in public education efforts relating to 
transportation. The National Association of Development Organizations 
recognized Phil for his groundbreaking work on development of a system 
to aid local officials in managing their roadways that is now utilized 
by over 100 communities in our state.
  Phil recognizes the role that an efficient transportation network 
plays in a strong economy and improving the standard of living for 
every Wisconsin resident. He has been an effective leader who has 
played a critical role in transportation issues at every level. We all 
owe him a debt of gratitude for his selfless and dedicated efforts 
advocating a first-class transportation system in Wisconsin.
  I want to commend Phil for his stellar leadership at TDA and wish him 
all the best upon his retirement.

                          ____________________