[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 172 (Monday, November 30, 2015)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1678]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        A TRIBUTE TO TODD ASHBY

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                            HON. DAVID YOUNG

                                of iowa

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, November 30, 2015

  Mr. YOUNG of Iowa. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Todd 
Ashby, Executive Director of the Des Moines Area Metropolitan Planning 
Organization, for being recognized by the Association of Metropolitan 
Planning Organizations (AMPO) as this year's recipient of the Ronald F. 
Kirby Memorial National Award for Outstanding Individual Leadership.
  To earn this prestigious national award the recipient must display 
outstanding efforts in metropolitan transportation planning and 
planning leadership. They must also display and exemplify at least two 
of the following criteria: innovation, impact of profession, 
implementation, and coordination. Todd has embodied each of the four 
criteria and has worked tirelessly to promote his profession and the 
city of Des Moines.
  Todd has worked behind-the-scenes on his most recent project to 
establish the Des Moines Transload Facility. It will serve as a hub for 
surrounding area businesses by connecting the trucking network to the 
rail network. Based on recent findings, it will be a significant 
improvement over what is available today in central Iowa. It will allow 
businesses to reach areas of the state, and country that were 
unreachable before the facility. It is estimated that the Transload 
Facility will be completed by 2016.
  Mr. Speaker, Todd has displayed a work ethic and dedication to 
success that is matched by few. I am honored to represent him and 
Iowans like him, in the United States Congress. I ask that all of my 
colleagues in the United States House of Representatives join me in 
congratulating Todd for receiving this outstanding award and in wishing 
him nothing but continued success.

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