[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 150 (2004), Part 16]
[Senate]
[Page 22029]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                      TRIBUTE TO VALENTIN J. RIVA

 Mrs. MURRAY. Mr. President, today I pay tribute to the life of 
Valentin J. Riva--a friend and transportation industry leader that was 
taken from us at far too young an age. Earlier this month, I was 
shocked and saddened to learn that Val Riva had passed away suddenly as 
a result of complications from heart surgery. Val was only 50 years 
old. I and many of my colleagues who work closely on transportation 
policy will remember Val as a truly visionary leader and trusted 
colleague. Moreover, Val was an extraordinarily dedicated father and 
husband.
  Over the last two decades, Val has held leadership positions in 
several transportation organizations. Throughout, Val has been an 
articulate advocate for investment in our Nation's transportation 
infrastructure. Val served as vice president of government affairs for 
the National Stone, Sand and Gravel Association from 1988 until 1991 
and as vice president and general counsel of the American Road and 
Transportation Builders Association from 1991 until 1997.
  From August of 1997 until the time of his unfortunate death, Val Riva 
served as president and chief executive officer of the American 
Concrete Pavement Association. And in his most recent position, Val not 
only continued to be a powerful voice in the fight for infrastructure 
investment, but he also was a strong proponent of making sure that 
adequate resources were being dedicated to advancing pavement 
technology and transportation research. We have often heard Members 
speak on this floor about the deteriorating condition of our Nation's 
roads and bridges. Val Riva recognized that we not only need to replace 
and rehabilitate those crumbling roads and bridges but we also need to 
conduct the necessary research to create new technologies that will 
help prolong the lifespan of our infrastructure.
  Val Riva was also respected by his peers in the transportation 
industry. Best of all, Val had the rare gift of being both thoughtful 
and funny. He was considered a trusted colleague and, more importantly, 
a loyal friend to those individuals that had the good fortune to work 
with him. I consider myself extraordinarily lucky to be one of those 
individuals.
  And while Val was very dedicated to his work in the transportation 
industry, there was no job more important or rewarding to him than 
being a father to Clare, Michael and David. No one ever had a meeting 
with Val without hearing about his children and hearing a historical 
reference. I express my heartfelt condolences to his three children and 
to his wife, Marti. Val's passing is much more than just their loss. It 
is a loss to the entire national transportation enterprise and the 
great many of us that recognized his leadership in it. While we will 
miss Val's personable nature, his humor and his strength, I and many of 
my Senate colleagues know that his contributions will live on for a 
very long time to come.

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