Remarks for Secretary Tippett
Wildflower Awards Breakfast
Wednesday, Nov. 30, 2005
Sheraton Capital Center
Thank you Len.
It's great to be here today.
I'm always happy to be a part of this awards ceremony. It is good to see DOT employees get the recognition they deserve for our beautiful wildflower program.
I want to thank the women of The Garden Club of North Carolina for their ongoing support of our program and this luncheon. Each year your support inspires our folks to do such a great job.
Our wildflower program is one of the department's most popular programs - one that I hope will continue to expand each year.
From what I understand;
Over the past 20 years, new wildflower beds have been added annually, and we now have more than 3,000 acres across the state.
The number of native plantings continues to increase.
And we are leading all 50 states in innovative techniques for harvesting our seed.
As Secretary of Transportation I do a lot of traveling across North Carolina, and meet with a variety of groups. I hear a lot of things from our citizens and from visitors to our state. And one thing they agree on is how much they enjoy the wildflowers that you plant along our highways.
While our roads are among the best in the nation, people may not notice our state of the art bridges or the miles of guardrail installed for their protection.
But these amazing flowers leave a lasting impression on motorists-whether locals or visitors.
There is little I can say that competes with the letter that Doug Galyon read. You should feel a tremendous deal of pride to have inspired this lady to take the time to write the department such a heartfelt thank you.
That is why this program is so important. During what must have been a difficult time in her life, these flowers help make her long trips a little more bearable.
Often the good work of the department does goes unnoticed. The wildflower program helps shine a positive light on our agency.
It is wonderful when we, as a state agency, can offer a program that compliments the environment and adds to the beauty of our roadsides at the same time.
I am told that North Carolina's wildflower program in general serves as a model for the rest of the nation. We lead the other states in wildflower planting and beautifying highways.
We are continually contacted for seed sources, planting instructions and soil suggestions by transportation departments acros country, and by citizens all over the world.
I wanted to mention that one our biggest fans and supporters passed away this year.
Voit Gilmore lived in Pinehurst and was quick to remind every governor that our planting programs were important and should be a high priority.
He made sure the Governor's Office was aware of our landscaping for all of the US Opens.
And Voit was instrumental in starting the Monarch Butterfly Program. He cared deeply about our state and the way we cared for it.
He was a great champion for us and will surely be missed.
I thank each DOT employee who supports the Roadside Environmental Unit's ongoing efforts to enhance the beauty of our roadsides.
Your work is greatly appreciated and admired.
I think it's safe to say that I speak on behalf of many citizens when I say that First Lady Mary Easley said it best when she described our wildflower crews as "artists with backhoes."
You add splashes of vibrant color to an otherwise boring canvas.
Thank you.