[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 61 (Wednesday, May 17, 2000)]
[House]
[Page H3290]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      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.

                              {time}  1745

  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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