State Sen. Tom Wyss is a leader for Indiana where homeland security highway traffic safety and veterans issues are concerned.

Three times in the past year, Wyss has received appointments to important homeland security committees. He chairs the Indiana Senate Homeland Security, Transportation and Veterans Affairs Committee and is co-chair for the National Conference of State Legislatures’ homeland security preparedness task force. He is also a member of the National Homeland Security Consortium, the U.S. Department of Justice GLOBAL Advisory Committee and U.S. Department of Homeland Security Advisory Council.

His homeland security involvement helps Wyss connect Indiana concerns with leaders in Washington, D.C. As a member of the GLOBAL Advisory Committee, Wyss reports to the U.S. Attorney General. Meanwhile, the Homeland Security Advisory Committee reports to U.S. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff.

Few have made a bigger impact in traffic safety than Wyss, who was author of legislation that reduced Indiana’s legal alcohol limit to .08 for those driving a vehicle. Earlier this year, Wyss was a driving force in closing one of the nation’s last seatbelt law loopholes, authoring a bill requiring those in Indiana pick-up trucks to buckle-up.

A grandfather of four, Wyss has always kept child safety at the forefront of his agenda. In 2004, he received the Child Safety Advocate Award from the Indiana Safe Kids Coalition for steering legislation through the Indiana General Assembly on child restraint systems.

During his 22-year tenure in the Senate, Wyss has literally helped pave the way for better transportation and infrastructure in this state. He received the “Gus Grissom Award” from the Association of Consulting Engineering Companies earlier this year.

That was just one of two awards Wyss received during the summer. He was also given the “Legislator of the Year” award from Indiana Disabled American Veterans for his efforts at authoring Senate Enrolled Act 480, the most comprehensive veterans benefits law since the Vietnam War.