REACTION TO WILLIAMSON'S DEATH BEGINS TO COME IN

Unexpected passing of Transportation Commission chair and former lawmaker clearly a shock.

December 30, 2007

Quorum Report

Quorum Report has begun to reach people who knew of Ric Williamson's unexpected death last night.

Rep. Mike Krusee (R-Taylor), who chaired the House Transportation Committee, was clearly saddened by the news of Williamson's passing.

"I've never met anybody in public life who had the talent, the intellectual capacity and the far-sightedness that Ric Williamson had," Krusee said."He was usually a decade or two ahead of all of us."

Sen. Robert Nichols served with Williamson for six years on the Texas Transportation Commission before he ran for Texas Senate. Even though Nichols and Williamson were not always on the same side of transportation issues last session, Nichols described his working and personal relationship with Williamson as "excellent." Nichols said Williamson was, first and foremost, devoted to his family.

"It's a very sad day for the State of Texas and for Ric's family, and my heart and sympathies go out to his family. It's a great loss," Nichols said. "Ric had a true desire to make the State of Texas a better place, he really did. He worked very hard at it. He was an innovator. He was not afraid of stepping out and working in a direction he strongly believed was the right direction."

From TxDOT Executive Director Amadeo Saenz:

"Ric Williamson was a visionary. As a member and chairman of the Texas Transportation Commission, he brought passion and focus to meeting many of the challenges facing Texas today and for generations to come. The entire TxDOT family will miss his dedication and his leadership. At this time, our thoughts are with his wife, children and grandchildren."