Remarks for Secretary Lyndo Tippett
DMV Graduation
Thursday, June 8, 2006 at 10 a.m.
Aversboro Road Baptist Church, Garner
Introduction
Thank you, Dan, for that introduction and for all your hard work as the department's chief deputy secretary.
I would also like to thank License and Theft Director, Colonel John Robinson, and our other program participants for being here today.
Thank you also to Aversboro Baptist Church for allowing us the use of their facilities.
I would also like to extend a warm welcome to the friends and loved ones of today's graduating class.
I know that your continued support has been a great encouragement to the graduates as they completed this important training program.
Finally, graduates, I would like to congratulate you on your new jobs, and welcome you to the North Carolina Department of Transportation and the Division of Motor Vehicles.
Hands down, NCDOT is the best agency in state government.
Working for NCDOT
Our agency has nearly 14,000 employees and a $3.2 billion budget. It takes hard work and dedication to make an organization this large successful.
It also takes talented employees like you, who possess a strong work ethic and a commitment to serving the citizens of North Carolina.
Working for NCDOT and DMV is both an honor and a great responsibility.
I'd like to take a moment to underscore the importance of the work you are about to undertake. More than 8.2 million vehicles are registered to operate on North Carolina roadways by 6.5 million licensed drivers.
Your new position has a direct impact on the lives of North Carolinians in each of the state's 100 counties, including your family, friends, neighbors and co-workers.
Success in this job comes through hard work, determination and a willingness to give your best effort in every assignment.
After completing your respective training programs, I know that you are not intimidated by hard work.
Some of you are tasked with protecting North Carolina's environment by administering our emissions program; others are responsible for upholding the integrity of our state's driver licenses, and some of you are responsible for protecting consumers from fraudulent automobile sales and inspections practices.
Each of these areas of responsibility are critical in our efforts to protect North Carolina's citizens.
Emissions Inspectors
Today, we have nine new emissions inspectors joining us to ensure that the emissions program is operated fairly throughout the state.
Your efforts to enforce policies and regulate the state's on-board diagnostic program are an important part of NCDOT's mission to preserve, protect and enhance the state's natural resources.
Nearly all 100 counties are a part of this program, which is currently a national model in emissions regulations.
By enforcing our emissions policies, you will work to make sure that harmful pollutants from North Carolina motorists do not harm our environment and that vehicles meet federal and state requirements.
You are also ensuring that inspection stations treat motorists fairly and are consistently enforcing these policies.
Also graduating today, we have six representatives from the N.C. Division of Air Quality, who have completed our basic auditors school.
While not part of NCDOT, these people will use the training they have received as they return to their agency to develop and enforce policies that protect our precious air supply from harmful contaminants.
I want to thank you for taking the time to participate in this training program.
Driver License Examiners
We also have 12 new driver license examiners graduating with us today. These men and women bear the responsibility to provide motorists with the best possible customer service at the state's driver license offices while protecting the license's integrity.
Their main priority is to make North Carolina's highways safe, by ensuring that only qualified, well-trained motorists are issued state driver licenses.
State-issued driver licenses are used to verify identification in many ways from traveling aboard airplanes to everyday credit card purchases.
So it is imperative that our examiners have the knowledge and skills to ensure that the individuals applying for licenses are who they say they are.
To accomplish this, our examiners are trained extensively in the recognition of fraudulent documents as well as our state automated driver license system, which helps examiners recognize multiple license issuances and other suspicious activity.
Customer service is another high priority and our examiners work hard to provide everyone entering driver license offices with the best possible service.
License and Theft Inspectors
Finally, we have 20 new license and theft inspectors who will receive their credentials today.
License and theft inspectors work hand-in-hand with our driver license examiners and emissions inspectors with the common goal of protecting state motorists.
They also conduct annual examinations of inspection stations and automobile dealerships to protect the rights of consumers and ensure that vehicles are properly maintained.
Additionally, they regulate vehicle sales and investigate auto theft, fraud and other motor-vehicle related abuses.
As sworn law-enforcement officers, these men and women often work long hours to find and arrest criminals that prey on our state's motorists.
They are also on the front lines of combating identity theft by working to find and prosecute individuals who try and counterfeit the North Carolina driver license.
Continuing Education
As North Carolina continues to prosper, and more people decide to make this great state their home, your work will only become more important.
Today's criminals are also using the latest technologies to take advantage of our citizens. Therefore, it is increasingly important to keep ahead of them by continuing your training in the field after you leave here today.
In fact, your training over the past few weeks is just the beginning. Our training programs have only served as a basis for the real-life scenarios you will encounter in the coming weeks.
Seek Success
As you begin your work in the field, I encourage you to be attentive, ask questions and seek the advice of your more seasoned colleagues.
Also, remember that you represent not only NCDOT and the Division of Motor Vehicles, but also the state of North Carolina. To this end, keep customer service at the forefront of your interactions with the public.
By doing this, you will be assured of success in your career here at NCDOT. Don't forget to take the time to enjoy your new job and make the most of this new opportunity.
As Ralph Waldo Emerson once said, "Make the most of yourself, for that's all there is of you."
I look forward to hearing of your future successes.
Thank you for inviting me here today and congratulations to you.
At this time, it is my pleasure to present the Secretary's Award for Academic Excellence.
Each of the following individuals earned the highest academic average from their respective programs.
They have earned the respect of their peers, instructors and administration by demonstrating outstanding academic performance.
They are also certain to become leaders in the Division of Motor Vehicles.
I want to congratulate both of you on a job well done.
From the Driver License Examiners Program, I'd like to recognize Ronald Speights.
From the License and Theft Inspector Program, I'd like to recognize Rodney Smith.
Thank you again for your outstanding achievements.