House committee adopts resolution honoring Lori Tudor, first female DOT director

State Representative Julie Mayberry urged a House committee to adopt a resolution honoring Lori Tudor, the Department of Transportation's first female director, and the committee adopted an amendment to add co-sponsors before passing the resolution by voice vote.

Mayberry, who introduced the item to the committee, told members that Tudor began her career as a clerk typist and worked for the department for 13 years before returning to school to become an engineer. "That is not an easy task," Mayberry said, adding that Tudor then rose through the department to become director.

The resolution, as described by Mayberry, notes that Tudor became director a few weeks after the start of the COVID-19 pandemic and oversaw the response to significant infrastructure issues, including the repair of the Hernando DeSoto bridge closure. Mayberry also said Tudor oversaw development of an RDOT fallen worker memorial and has received numerous awards. "She's really a beautiful story," Mayberry said.

The committee first voted to adopt a simple amendment to add co-sponsors to the resolution. After the amendment was adopted by voice vote, the committee moved to pass the resolution. The committee chair called for the voice vote; members answered "aye," and the chair declared the resolution passed as amended.

Mayberry said the committee expects to formally recognize Tudor on the House floor next week and will coordinate a date that fits her schedule.

The action on the resolution was taken by the committee during its meeting; no roll-call vote totals were recorded in the committee transcript and were recorded as a voice vote in committee.