[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 152 (2006), Part 4]
[Senate]
[Page 4797]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                          TRIBUTE TO TIM PETTY

  Mr. SANTORUM. Mr. President, I would like to take a moment and 
acknowledge the dedicated service of Tim Petty, director of information 
resources for the U.S. Senate Republican Conference, which I chair. Tim 
is moving on to become a Deputy Assistant Secretary at the U.S. 
Department of Interior, and today is his last day serving the Senate.
  Since 1999, Tim has served as an integral team leader in the creation 
and development of the Internet technology department established by 
the Senate Republican Conference. This department was created to help 
the Conference implement a comprehensive technology strategy to help 
the Republican leadership efficiently and effectively use evolving 
Internet communication capabilities.
  Over the course of the past 7 years, Tim has led efforts and worked 
in collaboration with Senate and leadership offices in transforming the 
way the conference communicates and disseminates information using 21st 
century strategies and technology. Tim is always thinking of the next 
step, the next tool, the next idea.
  Highlights of just a few of Tim's many accomplishments at the Senate 
include a 2002 overhaul of the leadership's Intranet, known as the 
TrunkLine. This successful redesign and restructuring of the Intranet 
enhanced the ability of staff members to find key information provided 
from the Leadership, which helps strengthen communication strategies 
and overall messaging. In 2004, the TrunkLine was recognized by a 
prominent Internet usability report as one the top 10 government 
Intranets in the world. Only 3 of the top 10 Intranets selected were 
from the United States.
  In keeping with the vision of helping offices with their technology 
strategies, Tim led an initiative involving online database access that 
allowed all Senate offices to develop their own dynamic Web sites. Many 
offices are now able to more fully manage their own Web sites and share 
information as a result of this effort.
  One of Tim's primary objectives over the past 2 years has been 
enhancing the conference's ability to utilize wireless communications. 
A year ago the Republican Cloakroom began posting key legislative 
updates to the TrunkLine which then generates notices to wireless 
devices instantaneously when a legislative bill is hotlined. Prior to 
this change, notifications were done through a telephone broadcast 
system.
  Another technological communications tool Tim initiated for the 
conference is videoconferencing, which has allowed Senators to talk to 
State offices, meet with students in their classrooms, and to 
participate in conferences and meetings of constituents in real time.
  Tim also recognized the value of blogging and has implemented a 
strategy to reach beyond the usual media to take advantage of reaching 
a new audience with the Republican message.
  Tim's leadership in the area of technology strategy has been 
invaluable to our conference. I appreciate his enthusiasm and tireless 
efforts to help move an institution known for holding onto traditions 
into the 21st century. I wish him the very best in his new service.

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