[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 35 (Thursday, March 1, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E448]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    HONORING CAREER OF JOE HARRISON

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. NICK J. RAHALL II

                            of west virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 1, 2007

  Mr. RAHALL. Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Joe 
Harrison, President and CEO of the American Moving and Storage 
Association (AMSA). AMSA represents approximately 3,500 professional 
household moving companies worldwide. For the last 25 years, Joe has 
served as the industry's primary spokesperson and advocate, but is now 
set to retire on March 31, 2007.
  During his tenure, Joe has appeared before this body many times, 
providing information about the industry and its ``best practices.''
  For the past quarter-century, Joe has lobbied Congress on issues 
ranging from retaining the federal moving tax deduction, to small 
business tax and regulatory relief, to affordable health care for his 
Association's members and their families.
  Additionally, he has worked with the states to continue their ability 
to regulate the intrastate transportation of household goods.
  He has been a champion of various industry-led consumer education and 
protection activities, including but not limited to increased ceiling 
amounts for arbitration of disputes between carriers and shippers; a 
Certified Mover Program; adequate federal oversight and enforcement of 
the interstate household goods consumer protection laws; limited 
antitrust immunity for ratemaking by the industry's Tariff Bureau; 
competitive and efficient procurement policies for relocation of 
federal employees and military personnel; reauthorization of our 
federal highway program; and a host of other commercial vehicle safety 
policies, such as proposed ergonomics and hours-of-service regulations.
  A tireless advocate, Joe has taken every opportunity, including 
numerous media interviews, to convey the responsibilities to the 
consumer his association members carry. In 2003, Joe's dedication to 
the Association and the industry were recognized when he was awarded 
the Moving and Storage Institute's ``Distinguished Service Award'', the 
moving industry's most coveted award.
  I thank Joe for his years of dedicated and professional service to 
the Nation and the legislative process, and wish him continued success 
in the next chapter of his personal and professional life. He has been, 
and will forever remain, the ``Consummate Mover and Shaker on Capitol 
Hill.''

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