[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 113 (Thursday, July 29, 2010)]
[Senate]
[Page S6516]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      TRIBUTE TO GEORGE AUSTIN HAY

 Mr. SPECTER. Mr. President, I congratulate and honor George 
Austin Hay on his recent retirement as a multimedia specialist for the 
U.S. Department of Transportation, DOT. As a former resident of, and 
originally from, Johnstown, PA, Mr. Hay's 37 years with the Federal 
Highway Administration capped an extraordinary career of 55 years of 
public service with the Federal Government. He has distinguished 
himself as a truly dedicated public servant.
  Mr. Hay joined the Department of Defense in 1955 as a motion picture 
producer and casting director at the Department's Army Pictorial Center 
in Astoria, New York--the most expansive government film facility and, 
at that time, the fourth largest studio and sound stage in the world. 
There he produced Army training films, Government documentaries, and 
Defense Department short subjects. While employed at the Department of 
Defense, Mr. Hay had the privilege of working with some of Hollywood's 
best, including Paul Newman, Edward R. Murrow, Ed Asner, Henry Fonda, 
Gene Hackman, Dick Cavett, and Ronald Reagan, all of whom Mr. Hay hired 
for military training films. He also developed a friendship with Walter 
Cronkite.
  In 1973, Mr. Hay was called to Washington to fill the shoes of the 
retiring chief of the Federal Highway Administration's photographic 
section. While at the Federal Highway Administration, Mr. Hay produced 
his crowning achievement in film: ``Highways of History.'' This film 
narrative depicts the history of transportation in the United States. 
The film has been shown on television and has been distributed to high 
schools and universities with an estimation of more than 1 million 
viewers over the last 30 years.
  As a multimedia specialist, Mr. Hay was involved with an extensive 
photo and illustration search program. He has researched information to 
describe hundreds of selected images showing excellence in highway 
design, outstanding bridge structures, and multimodal transportation. 
Mr. Hay was also responsible for historical exhibits, and was widely 
known for his wealth of knowledge about the Federal Highway 
Administration's history, as well as the history of America's roadways. 
As an integral part of the publishing and visual communications team, 
he has written numerous fascinating articles that chronicle the 
development of our modern transportation system.
  In his spare time, Mr. Hay has also appeared as an extra in more than 
100 movies. His film credits include walking beside Cary Grant in the 
Alfred Hitchcock masterpiece, ``North by Northwest.'' Today, Mr. Hay 
continues to act as an extra, averaging two films per year.
  Throughout his career, Mr. Hay's outstanding efforts have enhanced 
DOT's public image by bringing positive transportation messages to 
citizens across the Nation. His multimedia products have depicted 
significant historical events and garnered widespread attention, as 
well as notable commendations. His fascinating articles, films, and 
exhibits have chronicled the development of our modern transportation 
system. His work demonstrates an extraordinary ability to harness 
knowledge about DOT's history, as well as the history of America's 
transportation system. Mr. Hay has provided an invaluable service for 
many years, and his achievements will have a lasting legacy.

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