[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 51 (Thursday, March 26, 2015)]
[Senate]
[Pages S2038-S2039]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   TRIBUTE TO WILLIAM E. RUSHING JR.

 Mr. PETERS. Mr. President, today I recognize William E. 
Rushing Jr. for his volunteer leadership to the American Concrete 
Institute, ACI, headquartered in Farmington Hills, MI, an organization 
whose work is fundamental to our Nation's critical infrastructure and 
economic competitiveness. I am honored to acknowledge Mr. Rushing for 
his career-long commitment to advancing knowledge of concrete in the 
United States and abroad.
  ACI has been a pioneer in all concrete-related fields: research and 
development, structural design, architectural design, construction, and 
product manufacture. With 100 professional chapters, 86 student 
chapters, and nearly 18,000 members spanning over 100 countries, the 
ACI provides knowledge and information for the best use of concrete. 
Through a host of activities including continuing education, 
certification, seminars, publications, and conventions, ACI plays an 
active and vital role in the concrete industry. Central to ACI's work 
is the development of codes and standards, which serve as a reference 
for building codes that impact many concrete projects in the United 
States. Further, in some 21 countries worldwide, the ACI 3I8 Structural 
Concrete Building Code provisions serve as a base for part or all of 
these nations' building codes.
  Mr. Rushing received his bachelor of science degree in civil 
engineering from Louisiana State University, LSU, Baton Rouge, in 1981. 
He is a licensed professional engineer in Louisiana, Mississippi, 
Alabama, Arkansas, and Arizona. Mr. Rushing is also a member of the 
American Society of Civil Engineers and the Structural Engineers 
Institute. He has been honored with election to the LSU Civil and 
Environmental Engineering Hall of Distinction.
  Currently, William E. Rushing Jr. is a vice president with Waldemar 
S. Nelson & Co., Inc., New Orleans. He has been an active member of ACI 
for more than 30 years and was named a fellow of ACI in 1998. He 
previously served on the ACI board of direction, has chaired the ACI 
strategic plan drafting task group, and has skillfully managed 
institute finances for several terms as chair of the Financial Advisory 
Committee. As chair of the ACI Convention Committee, he has worked 
tirelessly to improve the experience for local chapters at its 
conventions. He has worked on several ACI technical committees that 
cover the full range of the institute's areas of knowledge and 
expertise. Through his work on ACI educational committees, he has been 
a strong promoter of ACI student activities programs. He also serves on 
the board of the ACI Foundation.
  Mr. Rushing will complete his term as president of ACI on April 16, 
2015, at The ACI Concrete Convention and Exposition in Kansas City, MO. 
His year-long presidency has been marked by implementing and advancing 
the goals of engagement, outreach, structure, and leadership in the ACI 
Strategic Plan. The ACI University Program was launched as a new method 
to deliver online learning modules to bring education information to 
all concrete professionals. A major development during his presidency 
was the rollout of the reorganized ACI 318-14 Structural Concrete 
Building Code, the culmination of a massive technical undertaking which 
took nearly 7 years to complete. In his outreach capacity, Mr. Rushing 
engaged concrete industry professionals and their broader network of 
stakeholders on the benefits of the reorganized code.
  Over his decades of work in the concrete industry, Mr. Rushing has 
been honored with many awards for his outstanding leadership and 
service. In 2011, he was recognized with the ACI Henry L. Kennedy Award 
for his work

[[Page S2039]]

on many of the institute's committees. He also received the Chapter 
Activities Award from ACI in 2003. As a member, of the board of 
direction for the Louisiana chapter--ACI, he received its Chapter 
Activity Award in 2004 and its Chapter Distinguished Member Award in 
2010. His service has also been recognized in his selection as vice 
chair of the ACI Fall 1996 Convention and co-chair of the ACI Fall 2009 
Convention.
  Mr. President, I am honored to ask my colleagues to join me today to 
recognize Mr. William E. Rushing Jr.'s leadership and service to the 
American Concrete Institute.

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