09 LC
34 2037
House
Resolution 156
By:
Representatives Smith of the
129th,
Sheldon of the
105th,
Loudermilk of the
14th,
Rogers of the
26th,
Hamilton of the
23rd,
and others
A
RESOLUTION
Commending
Edwin Howard (Buddy) Gratton, Jr., on his retirement from the Department of
Transportation; and for other purposes.
WHEREAS,
Edwin Howard (Buddy) Gratton, Jr., resides in Lawrenceville, Georgia, with his
wife, Karen, and daughters, Kelsey and Samantha; and
WHEREAS,
Buddy Gratton graduated from the University of Florida in 1982 with a Bachelor
of Science degree in Civil Engineering, and, in 1986, he earned a Master of
Science degree in Civil Engineering (Structures) from the Georgia Institute of
Technology; and
WHEREAS,
he joined the Georgia Department of Transportation in 1983, serving as a Bridge
Design Engineer 2, 3, and 4 before being named State Bridge Maintenance Engineer
in 1993; and
WHEREAS,
he was instrumental in conducting and managing the safety inspections and
subsequent reopenings of hundreds of middle and south Georgia bridges affected
by flooding associated with Tropical Storm Alberto in 1994; and
WHEREAS,
he was named Assistant State Maintenance Engineer in 1996 and, in 1999, was
appointed Executive Assistant to the Chief Engineer and then State Maintenance
Engineer; and
WHEREAS,
Buddy Gratton quickly rose through the ranks as Metro Atlanta District Engineer
and Director of Preconstruction; and
WHEREAS,
he successfully administered the letting to construction of some 90 interstate
highway intersection improvement projects valued at more than $330 million
between 2000 and 2004; and
WHEREAS, in September of 2006, in recognition of his achievement, sound judgment, and leadership, he was selected to be the Deputy Commissioner of the department; and
WHEREAS, in September of 2006, in recognition of his achievement, sound judgment, and leadership, he was selected to be the Deputy Commissioner of the department; and
WHEREAS,
during his 26 years with the department, his responsibilities have included
oversight of the Division of Field Districts, the Division of Equal Employment
Opportunity, the Division of Operations, which included the Offices of
Maintenance, Traffic Operations, Utilities and Equipment Management, and the
Office of State Aid Administration; and
WHEREAS,
during his career, he also oversaw the Offices of Environment and Location,
Right of Way, Road Design, Urban Design, Consultant Design/Program Delivery,
Bridge Design and Office of Communications, Human Resources, and the Division of
Information Technology; and
WHEREAS,
Buddy Gratton is a Registered Professional Engineer and is a member of the
American Society of Civil Engineers, the Georgia DOT Engineers Association, and
the Georgia Partners for Transportation Quality Initiative Steering Committee;
and
WHEREAS,
Buddy Gratton has conducted himself throughout his career with the utmost
professionalism and integrity, helping to guide the department through its
challenges, including developing and bringing to fruition quality initiatives;
and
WHEREAS,
his career has been notable for his tireless devotion to the department and its
employees as well as to the citizens of Georgia, and his leadership will be
greatly missed.
NOW,
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES that the members of
this body commend Edwin Howard (Buddy) Gratton, Jr., for his lifetime
contributions to the Georgia Department of Transportation and the citizens of
Georgia.
BE
IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Clerk of the House of Representatives is authorized
and directed to transmit an appropriate copy of this resolution to Edwin Howard
(Buddy) Gratton, Jr.