JEFFERSON CITY – Patrick K. McKenna has been named the new director of the Missouri Department of Transportation by the Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission. The announcement was made today at a press conference following the commission’s monthly meeting.

“After a nationwide search, the commission knew Mr. McKenna had the vision and experience to lead the department to a new level of success and achievement,” said Stephen R. Miller, chairman of the MHTC. Patrick McKenna previously served as the deputy commissioner of the New Hampshire Department of Transportation.

“I am excited and honored to take on the director’s position at MoDOT,” said Patrick McKenna, new director of MoDOT. “Missouri faces a lot of transportation challenges, but MoDOT’s employees have proven time and again they can handle it. The department’s nationwide reputation for innovation is proof of that.”

In his role as deputy commissioner, McKenna served as the chief financial, operating and legislative officer for the organization. He has also worked in leadership positions in the public, private and non-profit sectors. Mr. McKenna also worked for several years as the sole proprietor of a real estate holdings company.

McKenna will replace Interim Director Roberta Broeker, who will return to her previous position as MoDOT’s chief financial officer.

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Roy Blunt (Mo.), Claire McCaskill (Mo.), Pat Roberts (Kan.), and Jerry Moran (Kan.) introduced a resolution congratulating the Kansas City Royals on their 2015 World Series championship title. The Senate immediately passed the resolution by unanimous consent.

 

“With an incredible four comeback wins in the World Series, the Royals reminded all of us that champions never give up,” Blunt said. “It is a remarkable achievement, and I commend all of the coaches, staff, players, and fans, who had a part in bringing this victory home.”

 

“Very rarely is greatness achieved without one or two individuals standing out—except now,” McCaskill said. “The Royals turned every sports cliché about team effort into a reality. ‘Keep the line moving, depend on each other, never say die, never give up.’ The 2015 World Series Champions taught this country a lesson in selflessness.”

 

As the resolution notes, the Kansas City Royals won the World Series after 95 regular season wins, clinching the 2015 American League Central Division for the first time in team history, and winning the American League title in back to back years.

 

“The Kansas City Royals have certainly earned this championship, often in extra innings and just when some counted us out,” Roberts said. “But our team, our fans and our faith have proven we are the best in baseball. Congratulations to Kansas City and to our Kansas City Royals, the 2015 World Series Champions.”

 

Moran added, “This is a special time for Kansas City and Royals Nation. Owner David Glass and General Manager Dayton Moore put together a team that embodies what Kansas Citians and Royals fans everywhere value: strong character, hard work and perseverance in pursuit of a championship. This franchise and its fans have endured hard times, but now celebrate together in the glory of being World Champions. Congratulations, and let’s repeat next year!”

 

Following is the full text of the resolution:

 

114TH CONGRESS

1ST SESSION

1. RES. ________

 

Commending and congratulating the Kansas City Royals on their 2015 World Series victory.

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

 

Mr. BLUNT (for himself, Mrs. MCCASKILL, Mr. ROBERTS, and Mr. MORAN) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on

RESOLUTION

 

Commending and congratulating the Kansas City Royals on their 2015 World Series victory.

 

Whereas, on November 1, 2015, the Kansas City Royals won the 2015 World Series with a 7-2 victory over the New York Mets;

 

Whereas the Kansas City Royals won the World Series in Game 5 at Citi Field in New York City, New York;

 

Whereas the Royals scored 5 runs in the 12^th inning of Game 5 of the World Series to take the lead and seal a dramatic win;

 

Whereas all 25 players on the playoff roster of the Royals should be congratulated, including Johnny Cueto, Wade Davis, Danny Duffy, Kelvin Herrera, Luke Hochevar, Ryan Madson, Kris Medlen, Franklin Morales, Yordano Ventura, Edinson Volquez, Chris Young, Drew Butera, Salvador Perez, Christian Colon, Alcides Escobar, Eric Hosmer, Raul Mondesi, Kendrys Morales, Mike Moustakas, Ben Zobrist, Lorenzo Cain, Jarrod Dyson, Alex Gordon, Paulo Orlando, and Alex Rios;

 

Whereas the front office, the clubhouse, and all supporting staff and team members of the Kansas City Royals should be congratulated;

 

Whereas the Royals won a remarkable 95 games during the regular season, which earned the team the best record in the American League;

 

Whereas the American League won the Major League Baseball All-Star Game, which ensured the Royals home field advantage for the World Series;

 

Whereas the Royals had 7 players selected to the 2015 Major League Baseball All-Star Game, who should be congratulated, including Alex Gordon, Lorenzo Cain, Alcides Escobar, Salvador Perez, Kelvin Herrera, Wade Davis, and Mike Moustakas;

 

Whereas the Royals earned a postseason berth by clinching the American League Central Division for the first time in team history;

 

Whereas the Royals earned a second American League Championship pennant in 2 years;

 

Whereas Royals catcher Salvador Perez received unanimous support for and won the World Series Most Valuable Player Award, after—

(1)   hitting .364 in the World Series;

(2)   driving in the tying run in the Royals’ comeback in the ninth inning of Game 5 of the World Series; and

(3)   sparking the Royals again in the 12^th inning of Game 5 to seal the eventual win;

Whereas 8 of the Royals’ 11 playoff wins came after trailing in the sixth inning or later;

 

Whereas 6 of the Royals’ playoff comeback wins erased deficits of 2 runs or more, a playoff feat which had never been achieved before;

 

Whereas the Royals narrowly lost the 2014 World Series in Game 7, fueling a determination—

(4)   to return to the World Series in 2015; and

(5)   to accomplish what the team came so close to accomplishing 1 year earlier;

 

Whereas the Royals won their second World Series championship title in the 46-year history of the team and their first World Series championship title in 30 years, filling individuals in Kansas City and Royals fans everywhere with pride;

 

Whereas the Royals showed extraordinary steadiness, teamwork, focus, and love of the game in proving again to be an organization of great character, determination, and heart, a reflection of the city of Kansas City and the State of Missouri; and
Whereas the Kansas City Royals are the 2015 World Series champions: Now, therefore, be it

Resolved, That the Senate—

(1) commends the Kansas City Royals on their —

(A) 2015 World Series championship title; and

(B) outstanding performance during the 2015 Major League Baseball season;

(2) recognizes the achievements of the players, coaches, management, and support staff of the Kansas City Royals, whose dedication and persistence made victory possible;

(3) congratulates —

(A)  the city of Kansas City;

(B)  the entire bi-state Kansas City metropolitan area;

(C)  Kansas City Royals fans everywhere; and

(4) respectfully requests the Secretary of the Senate to transmit an enrolled copy of this resolution to—

(A) the Honorable Sylvester “Sly” James, Mayor of the city of Kansas City, Missouri;

(B) Mr. Dan Glass, President, Kansas City Royals; and

(C) Mr. Ned Yost, Manager, Kansas City Royals.