LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring Ramesh Mehta upon the occasion of his
retirement after 22 years of distinguished service to the New York State
Thruway Authority

WHEREAS, This Legislative Body seeks to acknowledge those individuals
whose professional lives and civic endeavors serve to enhance the stat-
ure of the State of New York; and
WHEREAS, For the past 22 years, Ramesh Mehta rendered faithful,
conscientious and valuable service to the New York State Thruway Author-
ity; and
WHEREAS, In his capacity as Director, Ramesh Mehta served with loyal-
ty, honor and distinction; and
WHEREAS, In his official acts, Ramesh Mehta was governed by a keen
sense of duty and always showed a unique grasp of human problems; and
WHEREAS, Ramesh Mehta joined the Thruway Authority in 1987, three
years after he abandoned a 20-year career at Indian Railway and immi-
grated to the U.S. from his native India, with his wife and three daugh-
ters; he is retiring in February of 2009, in a personal celebration of
his 50th anniversary in public service on two continents; and
WHEREAS, Ramesh Mehta spent his first years at the state Department of
Transportation, implementing a new bridge inspection program; he moved
to the Thruway Authority days after its Schoharie Creek bridge
collapsed, sending 10 people to their deaths in fast-moving floodwaters;
and
WHEREAS, Ramesh Mehta went from bridge safety and inspection to bridge
management -- a job that ultimately catapulted him to the directorship
of the New York division in 1995; he was always a gentleman and consum-
mate professional; and
WHEREAS, During his tenure with the New York State Thruway Authority,
Ramesh Mehta earned the admiration, esteem and affection of his
colleagues; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor Ramesh Mehta upon the occasion of his retirement after 22 years of
distinguished service to the New York State Thruway Authority; and be it
further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Ramesh Mehta.