SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 8
(By Senators Oliverio, Prezioso, Plymale, Kessler, Unger,
Bowman, Edgell, Hunter, Jenkins, Minard, McCabe, Sharpe and Minear)
Memorializing Samy E. G. Elias, former Chair and Professor of
Industrial Engineering at West Virginia University.
Whereas, Samy E. G. Elias was born in Cairo, Egypt, and later
came to the United States in 1956 for graduate study. While an
associate professor at West Virginia University in 1965, Elias
developed the West Virginia University-Morgantown Personal Rapid
Transit (PRT) system, a computer-controlled people-mover which
would help the University increase its student population; and
Whereas, In 1972, the PRT was named one of the nation's 10
most outstanding engineering achievements of the year. More
recently, the PRT, which still ranks as a model computerized mass
transit system, was picked as the best overall people-mover by the
New Electric Railway Journal; and
Whereas, For three decades, the PRT has been serving the
transportation needs of West Virginia University students, faculty
and staff, residents of Morgantown, visitors and researchers.
During each semester, 55 vehicles transport about 16,000 passengers
a day. Annually, the fleet of 71 vehicles accumulates more than
800,000 miles and transports over 2 million people while operating
at over 98 percent efficiency without any passenger injuries; and
Whereas, Samy E. G. Elias, whose creative imagination brought
the PRT to its ultimate realization, passed away November 13, 2004;
and
Whereas, It is fitting that the Legislature honor the creator
of the West Virginia University-Morgantown Personal Rapid Transit
system; therefore, be it
Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:
That the Legislature hereby memorializes Samy E. G. Elias,
former Chair and Professor of Industrial Engineering at West
Virginia University
;
and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Clerk of the Senate is hereby
directed to forward a copy of this resolution to the family of Samy
E. G. Elias, the President of West Virginia University, the Mayor
and City Council of Morgantown, the County Commission of Monongalia
County, West Virginia's congressional delegation and the Governor.
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