HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 98-4703, by Representatives Johnson and Eickmeyer

      WHEREAS, Mason County Transit Authority received the Federal Transit Administration award for Excellence in Rural Transit Service on September 17, 1997, and was one of only four transit systems in the entire United States to receive this award; and

      WHEREAS, The Excellence in Rural Transit Service recognizes extraordinary achievement by rural transit systems; and

      WHEREAS, Mason County Transit Authority is a leader in developing innovative and diverse responses to address the transportation needs of the community; and

      WHEREAS, Mason County Transit Authority serves the city of Shelton and the greater Mason County region; and

      WHEREAS, Mason County has a population of over forty-seven thousand spread out over seven hundred geographically diverse miles; and

      WHEREAS, Mason County Transit Authority connects the Shelton-Mason County community with the adjoining communities located in Jefferson, Kitsap, Pierce, Thurston, and Grays Harbor counties; and

      WHEREAS, Mason County Transit Authority was established in 1992 by Mason County voters to meet the mass transportation needs of the region; and

      WHEREAS, Mason County Transit Authority has steadily increased its passenger rate by as much as forty-seven percent annually since 1992 and currently has a passenger rate of over twenty thousand rides per month; and

      WHEREAS, Mason County Transit Authority was the first rural public transportation operator in Washington State to access Federal Surface Transportation Program funding for revenue vehicles; and

      WHEREAS, Mason County Transit Authority participated with the Squaxin Island Tribe in designing an interpretative transit and transfer center that was the first state-wide competitive Surface Transportation Program project in Washington awarded to a tribal government; and

      WHEREAS, Mason County Transit Authority provides an invaluable service to the residents of Mason County and is a tremendous asset to the region;

      NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the Washington State House of Representatives congratulate Mason County Transit Authority for its regional excellence and national recognition; and

      BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be immediately transmitted by the Chief Clerk of the House of Representatives to Mason County Transit Authority General Manager Dave O'Connell and to his dedicated administrative staff at Mason County Transit Authority.

      I hereby certify this to be a true and correct copy of

      Resolution 4703 adopted by the House of Representatives

                        February 23, 1998.

                 ________________________________

                  Timothy A. Martin, Chief Clerk