Page 40 - ATR 6 2013 digital

Who Made headlines?

The people who shaped trucking, for better or worse, in 2013

By ATR staff Commerce, Science and Transportation trucking industry, speaking at com-
and the Environment and Public Works munity events and schools, and to the
With off-year elections, a federal committees. The committees have news media, public officials and fellow
budget and continuation of a national jurisdiction over transportation reau- truck drivers.
transportation bill in play in 2014, a thorization bills, such as MAP-21, the “ABF is a strong supporter of ATA’s
look back at the people and events of reauthorization bill signed by President American’s Road Team program, and
the previous year may help predict what Obama last summer. we are particularly proud that the Team
the next 365 days hold. The bill contained provisions has consistently included ABF drivers
championed by Lautenberg: a compre- among its ranks,” said ABF President
fraNk laUtENBErg, hensive truck size and weight study and CEO Roy Slagle. Fellow ABF driver
U.s. sENator, NEW jErsEy under way by the U.S. Department of Otto Schmeckenbecher was also named
In June, Sen. Transportation, a drug and alcohol to the Road Team. “Loran and Otto
Frank R. Lautenberg clearinghouse so carriers can check the possess superb driving skills, have out-
(D-N.J.) died of pneu- records of drivers and a mandate for all standing safety records and share a
monia at the age of trucks and buses to have electronic log- commitment to upholding the greatest
89. He was the last ging devices. standards of excellence.”
remaining World War Then in June, after placing first in
II veteran to serve in lorEN hatfiEld, the Tank division, Hatfield was name
the U.S. Senate and had represented the drivEr, aBf frEight systEM, iNc. the overall Grand Champion and quali-
State of New Jersey in the Senate for 19 A familiar face fied to compete in the National Truck
years at the time of his death. to those involved Driving Championship.
While Lautenberg played a major in the annual Hatfield first competed in the
role in preserving the national pas- Arkansas Trucking championship in 2004 when won the
senger rail system, he also left behind a Championships, Loren Twins division and the Rookie of the
legacy as a visionary politician in back- Hatfield, a driver for Year Award.
ing aid for America’s complicated trans- ABF Freight System,
portation needs. Inc., garnered national attention in Bill gravEs
“Frank’s tireless advocacy for trans- 2013. PrEsidENt & cEo, aMEricaN trUckiNg
portation safety saved many lives — he In January, the American Trucking associatioNs
truly was the Safety Senator,” former Associations selected Hatfield along As the leader
U.S. Secretary of Transportation Ray with 18 other truck drivers to represent of the nation’s larg-
LaHood said. the industry as the 2013-2014 America’s est trucking lobby,
When it came to transporta- Road Team. The Captains, who serve for Bill Graves is often
tion safety and security, there was no two years, were selected from 32 final- in the news. But in
greater champion than Lautenberg, ists. October, the presi-
said Edward Wytkind, president of the “America’s Road Team represents dent and CEO of the
Transportation Trades Department of the best our industry has to offer: American Trucking Associations made
the AFL-CIO. “He understood that our pride, professionalism and dedication to headlines when he opened the group’s
government has a sacred obligation to making our highways safer for all who Management Conference & Exhibition
ensure that workers come home safely travel them,” ATA President & CEO Bill with a warning to Congress.
every day, and he served to fulfill this Graves said. “Political change is under way, and
responsibility.” The captains travel around the many of the traditional alliances the
Lautenberg served on the Senate United States as representatives of the business community has had within the

40 arkaNsas TruckiNg reporT | issue 6 2013