The Congressional Record is a unique source of public documentation. It started in 1873, documenting nearly all the major and minor policies being discussed and debated.
“IN RECOGNITION OF WILEY DECK” mentioning the U.S. Dept. of Transportation was published in the Extensions of Remarks section on pages E56-E57 on Jan. 21.
The Department handles nearly all infrastructure crisscrossing the country. Downsizing the Federal Government, a project aimed at lowering taxes and boosting federal efficiency, said the Department should be privatized to save money, reduce congestion and spur innovation.
The publication is reproduced in full below:
IN RECOGNITION OF WILEY DECK
______
HON. ROBERT J. WITTMAN
of virginia
in the house of representatives
Thursday, January 21, 2021
Mr. WITTMAN. Madam Speaker, today I wish to honor a great American and steadfast public servant. James Wiley Deck is leaving the United States Department of Transportation (DOT) after having served in critically important roles of increasing responsibility over the last four years. A polished leader and expert communicator, Wiley worked tirelessly throughout his time at DOT to keep the public safe on our nation's roadways while helping to build the infrastructure needed to accommodate the future of American transportation.
Wiley joined DOT in 2017 as the Director of Government Relations for the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). While in this role, he served as the principal advisor to the FMCSA Administrator with respect to legislative affairs, Congressional relations, and all policy matters affecting Federal, state and local governments, as well as public and private interest groups. His innate ability to collaborate with a variety of government stakeholders led to multiple legislative successes--including the securing of $100 million in autonomous vehicle research and development funding for DOT.
In 2019, Wiley transitioned to the Office of the Secretary, where he served as Senior Policy Advisor to Secretary Elaine L. Chao. In that role, he served as the principal strategic advisor to the DOT Secretary on issues pertaining not only to the FMCSA, but to the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA), Federal Transit Administration (FTA) and the Office of Drug and Alcohol Policy and Compliance (ODAPC). He served as the Department's representative on the White House COVID-19 Supply Chain Task Force and the White House Food Supply Chain Policy Coordinating Committee, where he helped shape the Federal response to the pandemic. He also led the Department's efforts to create the National Freight Strategic Plan to guide strategic Federal initiatives for multimodal investments to reduce congestion and improve intermodal connectivity.
In 2020, Secretary Chao asked Wiley to lead FMCSA. As Acting Administrator of a Federal agency with a $680 million budget and nearly 1200 employees, Wiley led the implementation efforts on two significant regulatory reform efforts: Hours of Service and the Definition of Agricultural Commodities, two issues which are of vital importance to my Congressional District. More importantly, however, he diligently worked with Congress to secure $30 million in Federal funding for a new Large Truck Crash Causal Factors Study. The last comprehensive large truck crash causation study provided the DOT, and safety research community, valuable insight into the factors which contribute to crashes involving at least one commercial motor vehicle, but the data was collected nearly 20 years ago. A new updated study--one that accounts for the changes in technology, vehicle safety, driver behavior and roadway design over the last two decades--is sorely needed and will serve as Wiley's lasting legacy in the Department.
Prior to transitioning to DOT, Wiley served for 22 years on the staff of my friend and the former Chairman of the House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee, Congressman John L. Mica of Florida, the last six as his Chief of Staff. He is also a proud graduate of the University of Central Florida, although I would remind the Speaker that the last time UCF played my alma mater, Virginia Tech, in football was August 31, 2003, and Virginia Tech won 49-28.
Wiley, his wife, Elizabeth, and their two children, Emilia and Enslie, live in Stafford, VA.
Madam Speaker, I am thankful for Wiley's leadership, dedication to public service throughout his 26-year career in the Federal government and his work on issues of vital importance to the economic vibrance of our great nation.
____________________
