TRUST honors for House Speaker for work to improve Oklahoma highways

A former Oklahoma legislative leader has been honored by a transportation group for his efforts to improve transportation in the state.

The Guardian of Transportation Award was given to former House Speaker and former Secretary of State Chris Benge by the Transportation Revenues Used Strictly for Transportation advocacy group. Better known as the TRUST group, its president Neal McCaleb said the award given to Benge was well deserved.

“There are many deserving individuals of this award who have contributed to the tremendous progress made to improve Oklahoma’s transportation infrastructure and Speaker Benge is certainly one of them,” said McCaleb.

“During his time in the legislature and as Speaker, he was a champion in advocating for transportation to be returned as a core priority of state government, and he played a key role in the advancement of Oklahoma’s transportation infrastructure on many levels. His dedication to that cause makes him a natural selection for this award, and it is an honor for TRUST to present our Guardian of Transportation award to him.”

As for Benge, he said he was honored and especially proud of the progress toward improving state highways in the past 12 years.

” I am proud to have played a role in the advancement of this core state government mission.  It has been an incredible story to see our state move away from a transportation system held together by duct tape and baling wire, to one that brings a modern delivery of infrastructure that will allow our citizens to thrive in a 21st century economy. I am very appreciative of TRUST for this honor,” said Benge.