WHEREAS, Alaska’s state road system spans over 5,600 miles, with many communities not connected to the national highway system; and
WHEREAS, the National Transit Assistance Program celebrated the Nation’s first Rural Transit Day on July 16, 2019; and
WHEREAS, this day focuses on what agencies have done, and are doing, to recognize the specialized needs of rural passengers and staff; and
WHEREAS, the Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities celebrated National Rural Transit Day for the first time on July 16, 2020; and
WHEREAS, the Alaska Community Transit manages Federal Transit Administration grant funds and has 12 rural transit subrecipients of funds; and
WHEREAS, as our communities change and grow, rural transit continues to become a greater necessity, delivering people to work, medical appointments, shopping, entertainment, and other vital destinations.
NOW THEREFORE, I, Mike Dunleavy, GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF ALASKA, do hereby proclaim July 16, 2022 as:
Rural Transit Day
in Alaska, and encourage all Alaskans to take advantage of and support activities provided by Alaska’s rural transit operators.