[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 140 (Tuesday, September 20, 2011)]
[Senate]
[Pages S5769-S5770]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS

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                         TRIBUTE TO DAN FLOWERS

 Mr. BOOZMAN. Mr. President, today I wish to recognize the life 
and career of Dan Flowers, who is retiring as director of the Arkansas 
Highway and Transportation Department after a lifetime of service and 
dedication to the State.
  Dan Flowers began his career with the Arkansas Highway and 
Transportation Department more than 40 years ago after spending his 
summers in college as an employee in the departments Resident Engineer 
Office in his hometown of Batesville. He held this position for 4 years 
until he graduated in 1969 from the University of Arkansas at 
Fayetteville with a bachelor of science degree in civil engineering. 
Enjoying his time with the department, Dan went on to complete the 
engineering orientation program and was assigned as a planning engineer 
in the Planning & Research Division. He has worked in a total of eight 
other engineering and management positions within the Department before 
being promoted to director in 1994.
  Dan Flowers has had many achievements during his career as the 
director, and in announcing his retirement to his staff he was quick to 
point out the collaborative effort ``we plan, we build, we maintain, 
and we manage--but the key word in all of that is WE.''
  Perhaps one of Dan's greatest accomplishments was the 1999 interstate 
repair program and one that he says was the most interesting. The 5-
year, $1 billion repair program overhauled the Arkansas interstate 
system which included 54 projects and more than 350 miles of 
interstate. Dan has truly helped make Arkansas roads safer and his work 
has touched countless lives.
  Not only was he active in transportation on a regional level but also

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highly active on a national level. As a new member on the House 
Transportation and Infrastructure Committee I quickly learned how well 
respected Dan was not only in Arkansas but across the country as 
witnesses would tell me of their appreciation for his work. He has 
served on numerous organizations from president of the Southeastern 
Association of State Highway & Transportation Officials and the 
American Association of State Highway and Transportation to chairman of 
the American Associations Special Committee on International Activities 
Coordination, and prior to being president Dan served as chairman of 
the Associations Subcommittee on Design, Standing Committee on 
Highways, and as the associations vice-president.
  Dan has also earned many accolades for his work. In 2001, the 
Arkansas Chapter of the Associated General Contractors presented 
Flowers with its most prestigious award, the Skill, Integrity, and 
Responsibility Award, SIR, for his outstanding contributions to the 
industry, and in 2004 the University of Arkansas Department of Civil 
Engineering dedicated the Dan Flowers Education and Training Facility.
  Dan has displayed dedication, perseverance, and commitment to 
excellence. I appreciate his friendship and am grateful for his years 
of service and efforts devoted to the State of Arkansas.

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