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Remarks from Michael R. Nelson -- Nelson Real Estate December 6, 2004 -- Leadership Summit 2004 For someone who lives
in Eastern Oregon, Baker City, it is a real honor for me to be here amongst
Oregon's movers and shakers. I'm here to talk about transportation. There is an old cliché
in business.
Those who are successful identify change and embrace it.
Under the dynamic leadership of House Speaker Karen Minnis, Senate
President Peter Courtney, Honorable Governor Ted Kulongoski, and the 2003
Oregon Business Summit, House Bill 2041 was passed last legislative session.
Change was identified, and ODOT and the Oregon Business Plan embraced
it. It allowed Oregon to continue to be on the cutting edge of innovative
solutions to current and future transportation issues.
ODOT began aggressively repairing bridges and infrastructure to enhance
Oregon’s multi-modal transportation system. Oregon Business Plan
is a key component in Oregon’s journey into procuring solutions on all modes
of transportation.
The OBP’s transportation initiatives continue to identify the rapidly
changing ebbs and flows of transportation needs. Now here we are in 2004 continuing the fine work on Oregon’s 21st century transportation needs. We must never forget that we have a multi-modal system to move goods, services, and people throughout all of Oregon. Connecting Oregon’s multi-modal transportation system does what we all want – it creates jobs for Oregonians. Oregon is a very trade dependant state. We need to access these markets – national and international markets. In the next 20 years freight volumes are expected to double as well as population in the metropolitan areas. Our transportation initiatives identify the need for a comprehensive freight agenda for the state and region. Connect Oregon
doesn’t just mean highways.
Our transportation initiatives include a multi-modal system that
includes air, rail, marine, mass transit, bicycles, and new advances in
technology innovations, such as trip check.
All are imperative to Oregonians livability and financial well being.
Our successes are many.
First, under the Oregon Transportation Investment Acts, we have three
new direct international flights, which is creating new jobs.
Second, we have successfully secured state and federal funding for the
Columbia River Channel Deepening project. Port of Portland and all of
Oregon’s ports are reaping benefits from transportation initiatives hatched
from previous Oregon Business Plans. Ports, keep up the good work!
Let us not forget the need for our initiative to develop a state wide
rail program. Transportation is everything to business. Business creates jobs for Oregon. Take a second to look around you. What you are wearing, eating, drinking, looking at this entire building – all of it was transported. I think that sometimes we fail to appreciate the magnitude that transportation has on our daily lives and its relationship to business. Transportation equals jobs. There are many heroes
that have placed Oregon on the cutting edge of transportation initiatives.
Senator Rick Metsger, Senator Bruce Starr, Representative Alan Brown,
and Representative Terry Beyer.
Moving goods, moving people, and moving the economy.
It takes a team effort. The energy and intellect in this room is unequaled, as is the leadership! We are fortunate to
have visionary leaders like
OBC’s Duncan Wyse and all the Oregon Business Plan members, ODOT
Director Bruce Warner, and ODOT Commission Chair Stu Foster. Truly, Oregon’s
greatest asset is its people. Think about this. How did you get here today? Some of you drove, flew, took a train, biked, walked or even jogged. All parts of a multi-modal system. How is this possible? It is because we have a multi-modal transportation system for all of Oregon. Is it perfect? No! Can we do better? Yes! With your help! Do we need more federal earmarks? Yes! Do we need other funding sources? Yes! What’s my point? If Oregon doesn’t
have transportation, Oregon doesn’t have business. If Oregon doesn’t
have business, Oregon doesn’t have jobs. If Oregon doesn’t
have jobs, we don’t have Oregon. How do we connect
Oregon: Read Governor
Kulongoski’s letter on Connect Oregon to Oregon Transportation Commission
Chair Stuart Foster. In front of you is a brochure on Connect Oregon. Read it
take action.
This is good stuff. Bring your ideas for
projects to the Governor’s office, ODOT, or your local transportation
partner – city, county, or port district. Talk to your
legislators. I am sure that when
this presentation is over Senator Smith, Senator Wyden, and Governor
Kulongoski are going to share with you their home telephone numbers.
Please give them a call. I've thought about this a lot. Transportation is the genetic link that connects us all. If transportation is the genetic link that connects all Oregonians in a multi-modal system, then transportation is the DNA of business. Thank you. Back to Highlights from Leadership Summit 2004
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