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Recognizing and honoring Pasquale Pat T. Deon, SEPTA Board Chairman, for his years of service to the authority and after he was chosen to receive the 2014 Outstanding Public Transportation Board Member Award by the American Public Transportation Association (APTA).
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WHEREAS, The APTA Outstanding Public Transportation Board Member Award is the industry's highest honor for transit board members, and the award recognizes: An individual serving on the governing board of a public transportation system who has made outstanding contributions to the public transportation industry. Mr. Deon will receive this award at the APTA Annual Meeting on October 14, 2014 in Houston, TX; and
WHEREAS, A businessman from neighboring Bucks County, Pat Deon has served on the SEPTA Board of Directors since 1996, and has served as the Board Chairman since 1999. During his time on the board, Pat has used his private sector experience to establish a clear mission and vision for the transit organization's future; and
WHEREAS, At Mr. Deon's election as board chairman in 1999, SEPTA was facing a $75 million deficit. After jumping into action, Deon put in place a more efficient allocation of resources and cost controls, along with negotiating fair and affordable labor contracts. Under Pat's leadership, SEPTA has operated with balanced budgets for 15 consecutive years and is experiencing its higher ridership in a quarter century; and
WHEREAS, During Pat's tenure as chairman, SEPTA has completed major projects, including the reconstruction of a large portion of the Market Frankford Line, which is SEPTA's busiest route with a daily ridership of nearly 200,000 people. SEPTA was also the recipient of funds through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. With these funds, SEPTA completed 32 projects with $191 million in funding - resulting in major system and station improvements, while creating and supporting local jobs. SEPTA's Recovery Act Program was nationally recognized for its efficiency, effectiveness and innovative program management; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Deon was also instrumental in achieving the passage of Act 89 by the General Assembly, which will provide new resources for transportation in Pennsylvania. Pat has been a tireless advocate for finding a dedicated, long-term funding solution to address Pennsylvania's urgent need to overhaul its public transportation systems. He has engaged governors, legislators and local advocates in a dialogue on this issue, and continuously strived to show the economic impact of such investment. These efforts culminated in the passage of Act 89, achieve d in a bipartisan vote and signed by Governor Corbett; and
WHEREAS, Under Mr. Deon's leadership, SEPTA has become more energy efficient by building one of the largest hybrid bus fleets in the country. SEPTA's board has also adopted a Sustainability Plan, which establishes their commitment to environmental and financial sustainability. SEPTA has embarked on initiatives such as a wayside energy storage project to capture, reuse, and resell power generated when subway trains break. In addition to being a better neighbor by reducing pollution and fuel consumption and cost, the American Public Transportation Association recognized SEPTA as a Gold level organization for its commitment to sustainability; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Deon has been a phenomenal leader for SEPTA over the past 15 years, shepherding the authority from deficit to unprecedented investment. SEPTA has become a model for other transit organizations throughout the country. Now, with sustainable funding assured, and new initiatives to come such as the rehabilitation of Suburban Station and their New Payment Technology (NPT) program, SEPTA is poised to continue the trend of enhancing public transit in the Philadelphia region for many years to come; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, That Council does hereby recognize and honor Pasquale Pat T. Deon, SEPTA Board Chairman, after he was chosen to receive the 2014 Outstanding Public Transportation Board Member Award by the American Public Transportation Association (APTA).
FURTHER RESOLVED, That an Engrossed copy of this resolution be presented to Pasquale Pat T. Deon as evidence of the sincere sentiments of this legislative body.
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