[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 156 (2010), Part 2]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 1847]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                            MICHAEL G. RIPPE

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. CONNIE MACK

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, February 24, 2010

  Mr. MACK. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Mr. Michael G. Rippe 
and the renaming of the Metro Parkway Extension in Fort Myers to the 
Michael G. Rippe Parkway.
  Mr. Rippe earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Mining Engineering 
Technology from the West Virginia Institute of Technology. He joined 
the Florida Department of Transportation in August 1989. From 2000-
2004, he served as the Director of the Southwest Area Office. 
Throughout this time, Mr. Rippe was an integral part in keeping 
Florida's roads safe and efficient.
  In 2004, Mr. Rippe was appointed Director of Transportation 
Development for Florida Department of Transportation, District One. His 
work contributed to the development of many roads and bridges in 
Southwest Florida. Mr. Rippe's contributions to the Department of 
Transportation have been a huge asset for my district and the entire 
state of Florida.
  Throughout his career, Mr. Rippe had worked closely on many major 
highway and bridge projects. He assisted in resolving various design 
and construction issues with local government and private citizens. His 
work on U.S. 41 projects accelerated job schedules and saved millions 
of taxpayer dollars.
  I would like to recognize Mr. Rippe for his numerous contributions to 
the citizens of Lee County, and I speak on behalf of all Floridians 
when I say that we are proud of his accomplishments. I strongly support 
renaming the Metro Extension Parkway in Lee County, Florida to the 
Michael G. Rippe Parkway.
  Thanks to Mr. Rippe's commitment, the citizens and visitors of 
Southwest Florida will benefit from his lasting legacy of safe, 
modernized roads for many years to come. Madam Speaker, it is a true 
honor to represent dedicated public servants like Mr. Rippe in 
Congress.

                          ____________________