Myron Rau Inducted into Transportation Hall of Honor

The purpose of the Transportation Hall of Honor is to to recognize those persons who hade made a lasting, valuable, and/or unique contribution to South Dakota’s air, highway, public transit, or rail transportation systems. Items to be considered are technological innovations, political activity, legislative accomplishments, creativity, time, cost savings efforts, and economic impact.

“Myron has dedicated his entire professional career to making our highway and transportation systems in South Dakota safer” wrote the Department of Public Safety Cabinet Secretary Craig Price. It is that reputation that shows why Myron Rau is well deserving of this recognition.

Myron was raised on a farm near Java, SD. He would go onto graduate from South Dakota State University. In 1975, Myron joined the South Dakota Highway Patrol as a state trooper. His first duty station was in Huron. Throughout his career he worked his way through the ranks to Captain of the Motor Carrier Division in 1992 before retiring from the Highway Patrol in 2001. After retiring from his Highway Patrol position, Myron started working for the SD Trucking Association and South Dakota Auto Dealers Association and is still in that position today.

In his early years as a Motor Carrier Sergeant, he dedicated his time and effort into protecting the infrastructure of the state. Myron realized roads and bridges were on the South Dakota’s biggest investments, so protecting them from unnecessary damage became a priority to him. He made sure commercial vehicle had their registration and taxes paid for the larger than normal use of the highways. In 1994, Myron tried to convince the Legislature it was time to adopt federal regulations to help govern the safety of commercial vehicles. The legislature declined, but he most definitely made an impact because in 1995, again with encour-

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agement from Myron, South Dakota adopted the standard set of safety regulations and out-of-service criteria for commercial drivers. Myron has been a tireless advocate for the trucking industry for almost 20 years as the President of South Dakota Trucking Association by continuing the partnerships he’d established years before. Knowing that working with industry stakeholders is the most effective way to solve problems and create opportunity, it was these partnerships that were key to success in South Dakota. His partners in safety know he advocates for the solution, not the advantage.

He is trusted by the partners, legislators, and government agencies alike. He is known in the trucking industry and legislature as the go to guy for transportation issues. He is someone who has all interests at heart - a tell-it-like-it-is advocate for doing the right thing. Myron’s lifetime of work has built a foundation that will last for generations. That is why he was inducted into the Transportation Hall of Honor. It was a night to celebrate his lasting contribution to South Dakota’s transportation system.

Presenters Left to Right: DOT Research Program Manager Dave Huft, SDHP Captain John Broers, DOT Deputy Secretary Joel Jundt