[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 12 (Thursday, January 21, 2021)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E56-E57]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      IN RECOGNITION OF WILEY DECK

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. ROBERT J. WITTMAN

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, January 21, 2021

  Mr. WITTMAN. Madam Speaker, today I wish to honor a great American 
and steadfast public servant. James Wiley Deck is leaving the United 
States Department of Transportation (DOT) after having served in 
critically important roles of increasing responsibility over the last 
four years. A polished leader and expert communicator, Wiley worked 
tirelessly throughout his time at DOT to keep the public safe on our 
nation's roadways while helping to build the infrastructure needed to 
accommodate the future of American transportation.
  Wiley joined DOT in 2017 as the Director of Government Relations for 
the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). While in this 
role, he served as the principal advisor to the FMCSA Administrator 
with respect to legislative affairs, Congressional relations, and all 
policy matters affecting Federal, state and local governments, as well 
as public and private interest groups. His innate ability to 
collaborate with a variety of government stakeholders led to multiple 
legislative successes--including the securing of $100 million in 
autonomous vehicle research and development funding for DOT.
  In 2019, Wiley transitioned to the Office of the Secretary, where he 
served as Senior Policy Advisor to Secretary Elaine L. Chao. In that 
role, he served as the principal strategic advisor to the DOT Secretary 
on issues pertaining not only to the FMCSA, but to the National Highway 
Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA), Federal Transit 
Administration (FTA) and the Office of Drug and Alcohol

[[Page E57]]

Policy and Compliance (ODAPC). He served as the Department's 
representative on the White House COVID-19 Supply Chain Task Force and 
the White House Food Supply Chain Policy Coordinating Committee, where 
he helped shape the Federal response to the pandemic. He also led the 
Department's efforts to create the National Freight Strategic Plan to 
guide strategic Federal initiatives for multimodal investments to 
reduce congestion and improve intermodal connectivity.
  In 2020, Secretary Chao asked Wiley to lead FMCSA. As Acting 
Administrator of a Federal agency with a $680 million budget and nearly 
1200 employees, Wiley led the implementation efforts on two significant 
regulatory reform efforts: Hours of Service and the Definition of 
Agricultural Commodities, two issues which are of vital importance to 
my Congressional District. More importantly, however, he diligently 
worked with Congress to secure $30 million in Federal funding for a new 
Large Truck Crash Causal Factors Study. The last comprehensive large 
truck crash causation study provided the DOT, and safety research 
community, valuable insight into the factors which contribute to 
crashes involving at least one commercial motor vehicle, but the data 
was collected nearly 20 years ago. A new updated study--one that 
accounts for the changes in technology, vehicle safety, driver behavior 
and roadway design over the last two decades--is sorely needed and will 
serve as Wiley's lasting legacy in the Department.
  Prior to transitioning to DOT, Wiley served for 22 years on the staff 
of my friend and the former Chairman of the House Transportation & 
Infrastructure Committee, Congressman John L. Mica of Florida, the last 
six as his Chief of Staff. He is also a proud graduate of the 
University of Central Florida, although I would remind the Speaker that 
the last time UCF played my alma mater, Virginia Tech, in football was 
August 31, 2003, and Virginia Tech won 49-28.
  Wiley, his wife, Elizabeth, and their two children, Emilia and 
Enslie, live in Stafford, VA.
  Madam Speaker, I am thankful for Wiley's leadership, dedication to 
public service throughout his 26-year career in the Federal government 
and his work on issues of vital importance to the economic vibrance of 
our great nation.

                          ____________________