81R19185 MMS-D
By: Smith of Harris H.C.R. No. 279
CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, Gary K. Trietsch of Houston retired from the Texas
Department of Transportation on August 31, 2008, after a
distinguished career of more than 40 years with that agency; and
WHEREAS, A graduate of The University of Texas at Arlington,
where he earned a bachelor's and a master's degree in civil
engineering, Mr. Trietsch began working for TxDOT as a college
student in the summer of 1967; he joined the department's Fort Worth
district on a full-time basis three years later, after completing
his undergraduate education, and in 1987 he transferred to Austin,
where in 1992 he became director of the Maintenance and Operations
Division; and
WHEREAS, In 1995, Mr. Trietsch moved to Houston to take the
reins of the largest TxDOT district in the state; in that capacity,
he oversaw the design, construction, maintenance, and operation of
bridges, state roadways, and the ferry system in a six-county area;
major projects undertaken during his tenure include the removal of
the Baytown Tunnel and the reconstruction of the Galveston
Causeway, the I-10/Katy Freeway West End, and 23 miles of I-30; and
WHEREAS, While guiding the Houston District, Mr. Trietsch won
praise for his ability to move large projects to construction in a
timely manner, and he earned widespread goodwill for his ability to
work effectively with local and state officials, as well as with
community groups and nonprofit organizations; and
WHEREAS, For his outstanding accomplishments with TxDOT, Mr.
Trietsch received the prestigious DeWitt C. Greer Award from Texas
A&M University; his many other accolades include designation as
Texas Transportation Engineer of the Year, as Houston Area Engineer
of the Year, and as a Distinguished Alumnus of UTA; in addition, the
Harris County Commissioners Court has named a new park after Mr.
Trietsch and his wife, Bonnie; and
WHEREAS, The founding president of ITS Texas, an affiliate of
the Intelligent Transportation Society of America, Mr. Trietsch has
also served on the boards of the Institute of Transportation
Engineers, National Society of Professional Engineers, and Western
Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials; and
WHEREAS, The myriad projects that Gary Trietsch has helped
bring to fruition over the years have increased the safe and
efficient transportation of countless Texans and contributed
significantly to the economic development of the Lone Star State;
now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the 81st Legislature of the State of Texas
hereby honor Gary K. Trietsch for his more than four decades of
exceptional service with the Texas Department of Transportation and
extend to him sincere best wishes for continued success in all his
endeavors; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
prepared for Mr. Trietsch as an expression of high regard by the
Texas House of Representatives and Senate.