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ODOT Director Matt Garrett's testimony on SCR 207
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On Feb. 7, 2012, Oregon Department of Transportation Director Matt Garrett testified on Oregon Senate Concurrent Resolution 7, which honors former Oregon Transportation Commission Chair Gail Achterman. Achterman passed away in January. The Oregon House passed the resolution on Feb. 15, 2012. Below is Director Garrett's Testimony.
I had the privilege of working with Gail Achterman. The Oregon Transportation Commission and I have sent you a letter of support. We truly appreciate the words and the passion contained in the resolution. I want you to know that we embrace the language of this resolution.
We lost a giant. With Gail’s passing, we lost one of the greatest public servants the state of Oregon has ever known. In her words, in her deeds she embodied the notion that public service is a noble cause.
Foundational, was the understanding that she served something greater than herself. She understood that each and every discussion that we had, policy debate, the directions we sent out from the commission to the agency affected the lives of the Oregonians on a daily basis. The gravity of that was never lost with Gail.
She was an amazing person. She treated all who came before her with the respect, patience and grace no matter their disposition, no matter their motivation, no matter their station in life. I had the privilege of staffing Gail, but soon found out that you did not staff Gail. She staffed you. She staffed you on the issue area you were engaged in, but more importantly she staffed you on life.
Her fingerprints are on all the major policies, programs, and projects that we animate and we build across this great state. Gail was many things, but I do believe at her core she was a teacher. She taught you about life, she taught you about issues. And if you listened and you paid attention, you grew both professionally and personally because of these teachings and because of her presence in our life.
In her 62 years she taught us much; and in the final months, weeks and days, she taught us how to live life, and, maybe more importantly, how to face death with courage, passion and honesty.
She was a very special woman on so many different levels. She was touched by the hand of God; there is no question in my mind. And she blessed everyone that she touched.
Thank you madam Chair. I truly appreciate this resolution and thank you. I’m humbled to be here to present before you.
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