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“TRIBUTE TO WAYNE SHACKELFORD” mentioning the U.S. Dept. of Transportation was published in the House of Representatives section on pages H3290 on May 17, 2000.
The publication is reproduced in full below:
TRIBUTE TO WAYNE SHACKELFORD
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Collins) is recognized for 5 minutes.
Mr. COLLINS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to a friend and colleague, one of the most outstanding transportation leaders in the Nation, Wayne Shackelford, Commissioner of the Georgia Department of Transportation. Commissioner Shackelford is retiring from the Georgia DOT in June, though he is a man of much energy and many talents who clearly will not retire from his involvement with the transportation community.
Wayne Shackelford has served as Commissioner of the Georgia DOT since 1991. During this time, he has guided the State, the region and the Nation through a decade which has experienced immense growth with massive demands on transportation and infrastructure requiring new and innovative solutions. Commissioner Shackelford met the challenges head-
on. He is a man who chose to personally be involved in developing solutions for congestion and gridlock and exploring transportation alternatives.
Under the leadership of Commissioner Shackelford, Georgia has repeatedly been cited as having one of the most outstanding highway systems in the Nation. And as the State experienced explosive growth, the Commissioner worked to develop plans for commuter rail, light rail, increased intercity rail and improved bus service. With Georgia being one of the first States to have construction plans halted due to nonconformity with the Clean Air Act, Commissioner Shackelford worked with Federal, State and local officials to determine how best to meet both transportation and environmental demands.
As if these challenges were not enough, during his tenure the Centennial Olympic Games were held in Atlanta and under Commissioner Shackelford's leadership, the most comprehensive traffic and incident management system in the world was developed for the event.
Commissioner Shackelford also has been a leader in aviation. Well before Hartsfield Atlanta International Airport became the busiest airport in the world, he was an outspoken and vigorous supporter of the airport, recognizing its contribution to jobs and the economy of the State and entire Southeast. He has been an active supporter of general aviation and regional airport development and was involved in the development and implementation of the 1998 governors regional airport enhancement program to bolster small airports across the State of Georgia.
From Georgia to the Nation's capital and all across the country, Wayne Shackelford's involvement in transportation activities has earned him the admiration and respect of transportation officials at every level. Georgians were proud that one of their own was selected as President of the prestigious American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials. Heading this national association, whose membership is composed of highway and transportation officials from each State, Commissioner Shackelford worked closely with his peers and colleagues, administration officials and Members of Congress to shape transportation policies for the 21st century, benefiting all States and particularly Georgia.
He also served as Chairman of the Executive Committee of the Transportation Research Board, perhaps the foremost national organization involved in transportation research, renowned for its professional and balanced approach to the issues. Commissioner Shackelford also served as National President of the Southeastern Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials as well as Chairman of the Executive Committee of the Intelligent Transportation Society of America.
As one can imagine, Commissioner Shackelford has also received innumerable citations and awards for his contributions to the transportation arena through the years. The record is clear that Commissioner Shackelford is one of the most outstanding officials in his field. However, it is the person of Wayne Shackelford that causes so many of us to hold him in such high esteem. He has always taken the time to listen and to answer. Though we have served in opposite political parties, he has always done everything possible he could to help.
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He is known for a forceful voice that booms above most others, yet his attitude is just the opposite. He is known for treating others with the highest respect and regard. He has reached out to those representing every viewpoint, to bring about cooperation and coordination in the best interests of the citizens of Georgia and beyond.
So, Mr. Speaker, today it is my great pleasure to pay tribute to Wayne Shackelford, for the outstanding job that he has done, and for the awards, the citations and the offices which he has held. But, Mr. Speaker, more importantly, I pay tribute not to just his professionalism, but to Wayne Shackelford, the person. I am proud to have worked with him on behalf of the citizens of Georgia, and I am proud to consider him a friend.
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