Honoring Julie M. Austin, Executive Director, Foothill Transit CONGRESSMAN ADAM B. SCHIFF OF CALIFORNIA IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Wednesday, July 16, 2003 Mr. SCHIFF. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay special recognition to Ms. Julie M. Austin. On July 30, 2003, the Foothill Transit Executive Board will wish a fond farewell to Ms. Austin, who is leaving her position as Executive Director of Foothill Transit and Vice President of Transit Management for ATC/Forsythe & Associates, Inc., a post she has held since 1997. As Executive Director, Ms. Austin has overall responsibility for implementing Executive Board policies, developing policy recommendations and providing leadership and vision for the nationally recognized Foothill Transit. Foothill Transit was created in 1988, in one of the largest public-private transit partnerships in the United States, and has delivered cost-effective, safe and efficient bus service to commuters and residents in the San Gabriel and Pomona Valleys, located in the eastern portion of Los Angeles County in southern California. Foothill Transit now operates on 32 routes with nearly 300 buses and almost 17 million annual boardings, a marked increase from the 9.5 million boardings at the time of the creation of the transit agency. The American Public Transportation Association recognized Foothill Transit in 2001 with a ``Bus Safety Gold Award,'' dubbing Foothill the safest transit agency of its size. Foothill was also named ``Outstanding Transit System'' of its size by APTA in 1993 and 1995. The National Safety Council, Greater Los Angeles Chapter, recognized Foothill Transit in 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998 and 2001 with first-place awards for its safety programs. Ms. Austin played a leadership role in the accomplishments of Foothill Transit, both as Executive Director and as Deputy Executive Director from 1995 to 1997. She also contributed to the success of public transit in Los Angeles County as Director of Management Support from 1993 to 1995 at the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority and as Senior Transit Analyst/Manager of Transportation Policy from 1989 to 1993 at the Los Angeles County Transportation Commission, where she oversaw a three-year evaluation of the Foothill Transit Zone. She also worked for the Southern California Association of Governments for three years and spent several years as a transportation consultant. A resident of the City of Monrovia, California, Ms. Austin has a bachelor's degree in journalism from California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo. She is active in the American Public Transit Association (Legislative Committee), California Transit Association (Executive Committee), San Gabriel Valley Commerce and Cities Consortium Board, Women's Transportation Seminar, San Gabriel Valley Council of Governments Transit Committee, and West Covina Chamber of Commerce. I ask all Members of Congress to join me today in honoring this truly remarkable leader in the field of public transit in our region, in thanking for her efforts and in wishing her the best in her future endeavors.