[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 18 (Wednesday, February 6, 2013)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E109]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 HONORING DONALD VAUGHN, FORMER CHIEF ENGINEER, ALABAMA DEPARTMENT OF 
                             TRANSPORTATION

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. JO BONNER

                               of alabama

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, February 6, 2013

  Mr. BONNER. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to rise to pay tribute to Mr. 
Donald W. Vaughn, a distinguished civil servant of the State of Alabama 
who will be inducted into the Alabama Engineering Hall of Fame on 
February, 23, 2013.
  A 1971 graduate of Auburn University's School of Engineering, Don 
Vaughn served the Alabama Highway Department for more than 40 years 
before retiring in 2012. His contributions to the enhancement of 
Alabama's transportation system over the last four decades are 
reflected in the state's modern highways and continued emphasis on 
traffic safety.
  Don holds a lifelong passion for engineering that began even before 
he earned his degree. Indeed, he started work as a survey party member 
for the Alabama Highway Department in 1966 at the same he entered 
college. He spent summer breaks and between quarters assisting state 
surveyor crews even as he studied at Auburn University. After 
graduation in 1972, Don began full-time work in the Alabama Highway 
Department's Engineering Education Training Program as a Graduate Civil 
Engineer. He subsequently rose in the ranks, starting as an Interstate 
Bureau Engineer, 1973-1976, Assistant Location Engineer, 1976-1979, 
Location Engineer, 1980-1983, Assistant Chief of Design Bureau, 1983-
1987, Bureau Chief of Office Engineer Bureau, 1987-1989, and, in July 
1989, he was appointed Administrative Engineer to the Transportation 
Director.
  Under Governor Fob James, Don was promoted to Assistant 
Transportation Director on October 1, 1997. He served in that position 
until February 1999 when he was appointed Assistant Chief Engineer. 
Governor Donald Siegelman appointed him Assistant Transportation 
Director on July 1, 2001. He was appointed to the position of Deputy 
Director, Operations in February 2003. On June 1, 2005, Don was 
appointed Chief Engineer by Governor Bob Riley.
  An active leader in Alabama and national transportation 
organizations, Don was President of the Alabama Section of the American 
Society of Civil Engineers, Chairman of the Traffic Safety Committee, 
Chairman of the US Route Numbering Committee, and Chairman of the 
Subcommittee on Safety Management of the Standing Committee on Highways 
of the American Association of State and Highway Transportation 
Officials. He also served on the Alabama Enterprise Zone Advisory 
Council, the Inland Waterways and Intermodal Infrastructure Advisory 
Board, and the Alabama Toll Road, Bridge and Tunnel Authority.
  Don retired at the rank of Commander in the U.S. Naval Reserves Civil 
Engineer Corps and was the 2009 Auburn University Outstanding Civil 
Engineer Alumnus.
  On behalf of the people of Alabama, I would like to extend personal 
congratulations to Don on his induction into the Alabama Engineering 
Hall of Fame. His service to improving the quality and safety of 
Alabama's roads, bridges and transportation infrastructure is second to 
none.
  I wish Don and his wife, Becki, and their entire family the very best 
in their future endeavors.

                          ____________________