[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 108 (Monday, July 9, 2007)]
[Senate]
[Page S8792]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS

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                          TRIBUTE TO RAY KUNTZ

 Mr. BAUCUS. Mr. President, the American adventurer, war hero, 
and 26th President of the United States Teddy Roosevelt once said, 
``Far away the best prize that life offers is the chance to work hard 
at work worth doing.'' And there is no work worth doing more than 
making sure our Nation's trucking industry runs smooth, and nobody 
works harder than my good friend Ray Kuntz.
  As a fellow Montanan, Ray knows the value of hard work and has always 
been willing to roll up his sleeves and put in a full day. As the CEO 
of Watkins & Shepard Trucking, which is based in my hometown of Helena, 
Ray has helped transform a small business into a thriving enterprise. 
With more than 700 trucks and drivers and 1,000 employees, Watkins & 
Shepard has made their mark on the trucking industry. I remember 
attending the Watkins & Shepard driving school, and I can say firsthand 
that it was top notch.
  Now, Ray will undertake a new challenge, taking the reins of the 
American Trucking Association as the chairman. Ray is no stranger to 
the ATA, and he is no stranger to success. As vice-chairman of the ATA, 
Ray helped to revolutionize the trucking industry. Combining cutting-
edge technology and a passion for trucking, Ray helped to launch 
GetTrucking.com. This innovative Web site used humor, timely 
information, and eye-grabbing graphics to help recruit new drivers and 
keep trucking the vanguard of America's transportation industry.
  As chairman, Ray will continue to use his drive, his creativity, and 
his passion to lead the ATA boldly into the 21st century. With his 
chairmanship, Ray has made the working folks the hallmark of his term. 
For those of us who know him, this is no surprise. Ray has always 
remembered his roots and the hard-working men and women he has served 
along the way.
  With Ray at the helm, the ATA is on the path to an even more 
successful future as the voice of the men and women who are either 
behind the wheel, or behind the scenes, of the trucking 
industry.

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