[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 116 (Wednesday, July 11, 2018)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E995]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]





   RECOGNIZING BOB BURLESON FOR HIS YEARS OF SERVICE TO THE STATE OF 
                                FLORIDA

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. MARIO DIAZ-BALART

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, July 11, 2018

  Mr. DIAZ-BALART. Mr. Speaker, on the occasion of his retirement from 
the Florida Transportation Builders' Association (FTBA), I rise today 
to commemorate the years of service Mr. Bob Burleson has given to the 
state of Florida. Bob is a remarkable individual who I have had the 
privilege of working closely with for many years, dating back to my 
time in the Florida State legislature.
   Mr. Burleson's retirement closes a forty year chapter in the 
transportation construction industry. Prior to his longstanding success 
at FTBA, he served as a top executive for Wiley N. Jackson Company in 
Virginia from 1970 to 1988. He then took the prestigious role of 
President of FTBA in 1989 and has remained in this capacity to this 
day. Due in large part to his determination and vision, Bob restored 
the FBTA to strong fiscal health within seven years and increased 
membership after previous years of steady decline.
   Under his guidance at FTBA, Florida history was made in 1990 when 
Mr. Burleson helped secure the largest transportation funding increase 
for the state. Throughout his extraordinary career, he has received 
numerous awards, including the Golden Eagle Award by the Floridians for 
Better Transportation in 1997 and the CUTR's 2008 Transportation 
Achievement Award. Perhaps Bob's most impressive recognition was his 
induction into the ARTBA-TDF's Inaugural Hall of Fame, which is the 
nation's highest honor in the transportation construction industry, an 
acknowledgement which he undoubtedly deserves.
   Having known Bob for many years, his determination and passion for 
bettering the state of Florida cannot be understated. While his 
approaching retirement marks a sad day for Florida, the legacy that he 
has imprinted will remain. I am lucky to have had the privilege of 
working with such a talented and honorable individual and I am grateful 
to be able to call Bob a close friend.
   Mr. Speaker, I am honored to pay tribute to my dear friend and 
mentor, Mr. Bob Burleson, for his outstanding accomplishments in the 
transportation construction industry, and I ask my fellow colleagues to 
join me in recognizing this remarkable individual.

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